New measures for race delegates

The FIA revealed that greater transparency in the decisions made by the stewards will be observed next season.

After the controversy sparked by Lewis Hamilton’s penalty at Spa-Francorchamps, it was decided during a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris that these decisions will be better explained to the public starting in 2009.

A written explanation of each decision will be published on the FIA’s website rather than just the confirmation of decisions that have been made public to date.

The FIA has also promised to make films available to race delegates that can help them make their decisions. These will not be available to fans via the FIA and FOM websites.

A new replay system will also be presented to the commissioners.

The FIA also announced that trainee delegates designated by their country and selected by the FIA will participate in five Grand Prix next season as mere observers. Any marshal officiating at a Formula 1 race for the first time must have observed at least one Grand Prix in this way in order to obtain their ‘super license’. A brief CV of the trainees and all delegates will also be posted on the FIA website.

It was also agreed that at least one former Grand Prix driver should be a steward. The FIA has confirmed that they will be able to take their license and obtain the ‘super license’.

As a reminder, in 2009, engines will have to last for three Grand Prix races instead of two.