FIA to apply stricter rules
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has revealed its plans to introduce two new rules into Formula One. Driven by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, the rules will be submitted to FIA’s general assembly for assessment and revision.
If applied, one rule will introduce a “competitor’s staff” license, as a hopeful preventative measure against race fixing. FIA states that “The aim is to introduce a system that ensures they are subject to the criteria set out in a new FIA Code of Good Standing. This would apply to a minimum of six people per competitor, including the team principal, sporting director, team manager, technical director and two race engineers (or equivalent). A new mechanism will be introduced to control access to areas under the jurisdiction of the FIA and no pass of any kind will be issued to any person or body who is not in good standing for the purposes of the FIA International Sporting Code. Entrants will also become responsible for their staff, meaning any person connected directly or indirectly with the entrant in connection with their participation in an event.”
More urgently, FIA demands that Formula One drivers be subject to harsher punishment for committing serious road offences, including having their license revoked. “The FIA, both in its motor sport and mobility roles, has a strong interest in promoting road safety. Competitors at FIA events must act as ambassadors for the sport, be aware their conduct on the road must be exemplary and respect road safety rules. A proposal to amend the international sporting code will be submitted to the FIA General Assembly to clarify that any holder of an International Super License must also be in possession of a current road driving license. Additionally, the Code will be amended to clarify that if an International Super License holder is involved in a serious road traffic offence recognized by a national police authority, the FIA, depending on the severity of the case, may issue a warning or refer the matter to the International Disciplinary Tribunal, which may temporarily or indefinitely withdraw the competitor’s International Super License.”
These gestures, though many critics are apt to argue that they give the already domineering body further power, are more than justified. The current F1 season has seen various cases of driving errors, most infamously attributed to Red-Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, that have caused a series of safety car periods. As well, the first rule will help to monitor the actions and motivations of team members, hopefully eliminating the chance of coded team orders.
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