In tandem with Formula One’s much-discussed 2026 technical rules package and the pre-Miami GP upgrades focusing on energy deployment and safety, has come a raft of changes to F1’s stewarding system that have largely flown under the radar.
By Graham Duxbury
F1’s volunteer corps of stewards has long faced criticism for inconsistency, with drivers, teams and fans often expressing frustration over “unprescriptive” rules and perceived double standards when similar incidents often result in different penalties.
Max Verstappen’s community service sentence for inappropriate language in an FIA press conference – versus a fine for another driver who committed a similar offence – is a case in point.
In 2026, the FIA, as part of a comprehensive refresh of its International Sporting Code (ISC), has been addressing this credibility gap through a combination of regulatory tweaks, procedural reforms and greater transparency.
At the heart of the issue has been the interpretation of racing incidents. The existing Driving Standards Guidelines – introduced to aid stewards – have instead drawn strong criticism for adding complexity and subjectivity.
Drivers have openly called for more consistency. They are concerned that stewards often rely too heavily on case-by-case interpretations rather than clearly defined thresholds. Now, several changes have been made in a move to standardise decision-making.
For instance, the FIA has moved toward clearer penalty frameworks, linking specific infringements to more fixed sanction ranges. This is designed to reduce discretionary variations between panels made up of different stewards.
Moreover, there is an increased emphasis on precedent. Stewards are now expected to reference recent comparable incidents when issuing decisions.
Another key development is the ability for stewards to independently re-examine their own decisions if new, relevant information (such as fresh onboard video footage) comes to light. Previously, only teams could trigger this through a “right of review” process.
In addition, new guidelines grant stewards more flexibility to show leniency when a driver is clearly attempting to avoid a collision – during a heavy lock-up for example.
Debate on this topic was sparked following Oscar Piastri’s 10-second penalty in the 2025 Brazilian GP for a collision with Kimi Antonelli at the first turn. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella noted at the time that the “penalty was on the harsher side” suggesting that responsibility for the incident should at least have been shared with Antonelli.
Against this backdrop, the controversial “overtaking rights” rule has been addressed in the FIA’s latest Driving Standards Guidelines document. Stewards are now required to explicitly recognise that even if an overtaking driver has gained the right to the corner, “the other car simply cannot disappear”.
This revision makes it the responsibility of the overtaking driver to avoid a collision. This is aimed at reducing contentious penalties as seen in previous seasons.
In line with this, and in what is sees as a significant revision, penalty points will now only be issued for “dangerous, reckless or apparently deliberate” actions. Minor racing contact is unlikely to trigger points.
In a bid to avoid delays in important rulings that for any reason are not able to be reached at the race track, the FIA can now convene an “out of competition” stewards’ panel between race weekends, allowing for investigations during breaks or summer shutdowns if required to resolve matters with minimum delay.
Importantly, discussions have intensified around the introduction of more permanent, professional stewards. In addition, 2026 sees more use being made of experienced ex-drivers in stewarding roles and greater collaboration with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA).
Technological support has also been enhanced. Improved data integration combining telemetry, GPS positioning and onboard footage allows stewards to reconstruct incidents more precisely, reducing reliance on subjective visual judgement.
Procedural transparency is another focal point. Stewards are now encouraged to publish more detailed explanations of their decisions, outlining not just the verdict but the reasoning and applicable rules. This is designed to build trust and make rulings more predictable over time.
Lewis Hamilton has been vocal on the issue, arguing that greater collaboration is essential. He says drivers should have more influence in shaping regulations.
Ultimately, while inconsistency may never be fully eliminated in a sport as dynamic as F1, the 2026 reforms represent a concerted effort to professionalise stewarding and, to this end, the FIA has secured extra funding to help improve stewarding in the future.