F1 drivers and FIA debate controversial race rules: Changes on the horizon?

F1 Drivers Raise Concerns with FIA Regarding Race Regulations

Formula 1 drivers met with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to express their concerns about the application of race rules. Although no immediate changes were agreed upon in the guidelines for the drivers, the meeting highlighted the need to review certain aspects. The F1’s career guidelines, agreed upon by the drivers and the FIA at last year’s Qatar Grand Prix, have generated controversial decisions. Penalties for on-track incidents have been a recurring theme in the 2025 season. The drivers have expressed their frustration with the inconsistency in race decisions, as well as the application of general rules on very different circuits. They are seeking modifications to the guidelines that the FIA uses to determine penalties.

There is potential for improvement. The guidelines have created more problems than solutions in many of the incidents we have seen this year. There has hardly been any room for racing incidents.

Carlos Sainz, President of the Grand Prix Drivers Association

The meeting on Thursday in Qatar allowed the drivers to raise their concerns to the FIA. The drivers have requested a permanent set of race stewards, including at least one with recent F1 experience.

The meeting was described as “frank, open and collegial”. Five controversial incidents from this year were addressed: the collision between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri in Brazil, the incident between Sainz and Oliver Bearman in Italy, the collision between Sainz and Liam Lawson in the Netherlands, a track limits incident involving Lando Norris and Leclerc at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, and the off-track excursion of Leclerc and Max Verstappen at the start of the Mexico City Grand Prix, where they were not penalized. The FIA announced that the discussion in Qatar will serve for future improvements in the guidelines. The drivers expressed their preference for penalty hearings to be held after the race, instead of being imposed during the Grand Prix. They underlined the importance of having a commissioner with experience on each panel. Revisions to yellow flag situations during races and the control of blue flags, which indicate to lapped cars to allow faster cars to pass, were discussed. Carlos Sainz highlighted the importance of recent experience in the evaluation of race incidents, using expert analysis as an example.

My ideal is that there are no guidelines and that there are people capable of judging these incidents as well as the ones I have mentioned, after the races.

Carlos Sainz, President of the Grand Prix Drivers Association