FIA Introduces New Department to Enhance Professionalism Among Officials
In a groundbreaking move aimed at revolutionizing the world of motorsport, the FIA has unveiled its plans to introduce a new officials department. This department is set to elevate the level of professionalism within the governing body, addressing concerns raised by Formula 1 teams regarding steward consistency.
Who’s Behind the Change?
Leading this transformative initiative is Matteo Perini, an esteemed Italian steward who now holds the crucial role of Sport Officials Manager at the FIA. With his wealth of experience, Perini is spearheading efforts to train a new generation of officials, ensuring a robust talent pool for the FIA to tap into across all its sanctioned motor racing activities.
Why the Need for Change?
The FIA acknowledges the pressing need to bolster its ranks of trained race stewards, race directors, and other officials. This move comes in response to widespread criticism from F1 teams regarding the consistency of race stewards’ decisions in recent years. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA president, has faced scrutiny for his handling of personnel, with notable changes in key positions ahead of major Grand Prix events.
A Vision for the Future
Nikolas Tombazis, the Head of Single Seater Technical Matters at the FIA, sheds light on the overarching goal of the new officials department. He envisions a future where the governing body operates with enhanced professionalism, moving away from a heavy reliance on volunteers. By expanding the pool of dedicated stewards available on a full-time or part-time basis, there will be more time for in-depth analysis of decisions made during race weekends.
As Tombazis puts it, “We want to go to a more professional body in the future. That’s not to exclude volunteers, but it’s to have a body that can spend the Monday morning after a race analyzing every single decision, making sure it was reached correctly, seeing what could be improved, etc.”
In conclusion, the introduction of the officials department marks a significant step towards fostering a more professional and efficient environment within the FIA. With a focus on training and cultivating a diverse pool of officials, the governing body is poised to elevate the standards of stewarding in motorsport, paving the way for a more consistent and transparent future.
