F1 News
Ben Sulayem stresses 'new blood' to work in the FIA for the 2025 season
The FIA is looking to implement a broader selection process for future F1 stewards, according to President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. This move aims to bring greater diversity and fairness to the stewarding process in Formula 1.
The FIA will have more selection in 2025
"Our selection of stewards should be wider. We should not be limited in that," Ben Sulayem said during the FIA Officials Summit at the Circuito Permanente del Jarama in Madrid. There will be a new intake from the new FIA official's training programme, consisting of six possible new race directors and six stewards. “It will give us a new selection that will sustain the business of motorsport,” he said.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem also confirmed that new race directors will take over in 2025, following the abrupt departure of Niels Wittich at the end of 2024. Wittich’s role will be filled by Rui Marques, who began his duties from the Las Vegas Grand Prix onward. This change comes as part of the ongoing evolution in the governance of Formula 1. “Who and how many is a question we will know soon, in the next few days.
"There will certainly be new blood, and there will be more than one. That’s for sure." The 63-year-old clarified.
During the same press conference, Ben Sulayem discussed the new penalties implemented for misconduct in Formula 1. The FIA president emphasized his determination to remove swearing and cursing from the sport. Additionally, he addressed the departure of Johnny Herbert as a steward, highlighting that it stemmed from a clear conflict of interest.
This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon
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