The FIA should maintain a single race director, according to George Russell, who has advocated for an end to the F1 series' rotating structure. This will help to increase responsibility and consistency.
Follow Us
The uniformity of the F1 stewards’ enforcement of the rules this season was brought up during an animated drivers’ briefing on Friday night, and it is believed that this raised tensions. Sebastian Vettel, the driver of an Aston Martin, was given a suspended €25,000 punishment by the FIA for his actions during the Friday briefing at the Red Bull Ring, where it is believed that emotions over the way races are being officiated rose and Vettel stormed out. Since the beginning of the season and the dismissal of the previous race director Michael Masi, the FIA has alternated between Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas as race directors. However, the rotation has caused considerable doubt among drivers regarding on-track racing regulations and called into question the uniformity of judgments and fines.
Mercedes F1 driver and GPDA director George Russell stated there “has to be an element of consistency” in choices after the FIA gave Vettel a summons. Russell noted that there have been “a lot of questionable decisions or movements” so far this season. When asked if the change in race directors was a challenge, Russell responded: “Yes, I do agree that we need to stick to one race director. We need to have a bit more consistency with the stewarding. We come to the following event and often the steward in the previous event is not there. So there’s no accountability, no explanations of decisions. We ask questions, and it’s difficult to get a straightforward answer because almost a bit blame is being put onto somebody else who isn’t there. So it is tricky. Everybody’s got their own interpretations.”
Read More – ‘Mind-Blowing’: Hamilton Criticises Austrian Fans for cheering after his crash
Things can be more consistent
Following the contentious conclusion of the 2021 season, when Masi failed to execute at least two sports laws, the FIA planned to reorganise its race operations. This was due to the last-lap restart, which saw Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to win the championship. Additionally, a new virtual race control room was introduced, and Wittich and Freitas switched roles. Herbie Blash, a former assistant to the late Charlie Whiting, rejoined the FIA as a senior advisor. Russell acknowledged that the role of the officials was “by no means an easy job,” but he emphasized the importance of consistency.
“Over the course of the year, a number of drivers commented on that,” Russell said. I think when you’ve got one race director, things can generally be more consistent.” Most of this year’s races have been overseen by Wittich, who has seen to be much tougher with the drivers than in prior season . Drivers have expressed frustration over this because it has expanded to include issues like jewellery wear and appropriate undergarments in the car.
