Story perspectives

Sainz Proposes Ex-Drivers for Fairer F1 Stewarding

11/28/2025

Summary

Sainz Calls for Steward Reform

Carlos Sainz proposed adding former Formula 1 drivers to the stewarding panel to replace controversial guidelines.
He said ex-drivers Karun Chandhok, Anthony Davidson, and Jolyon Palmer provide superior analysis of incidents.
Sainz criticized the guidelines for causing confusion and hindering fair judgments.
He called for a collaborative review of past incidents to improve decision-making.
Other drivers share his concerns, and discussions on changes are underway ahead of Qatar Grand Prix.

History

Historical Context

In 2003, the FIA implemented new regulations to improve Formula 1 governance, including a stewarding panel aimed at enhancing decision-making transparency. This followed a history of safety-focused rule changes, such as the mandatory HANS device introduced in 2002. Criticism from drivers like Michael Schumacher highlighted ongoing concerns about consistency, while Carlos Sainz's recent proposal for former drivers' inclusion reflects the sport's evolving governance challenges.

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Sainz Calls for Steward Reform

Carlos Sainz proposed adding former Formula 1 drivers to the stewarding panel to replace controversial guidelines.
He said ex-drivers Karun Chandhok, Anthony Davidson, and Jolyon Palmer provide superior analysis of incidents.
Sainz criticized the guidelines for causing confusion and hindering fair judgments.
He called for a collaborative review of past incidents to improve decision-making.
Other drivers share his concerns, and discussions on changes are underway ahead of Qatar Grand Prix.

1 / 2