The governing physique made important alterations to the way in which F1 races are officiated following Max Verstappen’s victory within the 2021 season finale, when the principles relating to the protection automotive have been interpreted in a brand new method by then race director Michael Masi.
This considerably deprived Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and led to his defeat within the title battle he was seemingly heading in the right direction to win.
Though the FIA concluded Masi acted in “good religion”, it however introduced in two new race administrators to supervise F1 occasions this yr – former DTM race director Niels Wittich and World Endurance Championship race director Eduardo Freitas, who’s presently working on the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours.
This was the headline FIA change, however amongst different carried out measures it additionally created a digital officiating room at its Geneva base to help the on-site race director, in addition to requiring workforce managers to contact race management by way of an middleman official throughout on-track motion.
However the alterations haven’t stopped officiating controversies erupting this season – though none have been on the size of the saga that blighted the top of 2021 – whereas Wittich’s concentrate on banning drivers from sporting jewelry and making certain they put on compliant fireproof underwear on monitor has additionally generated headlines.
The principles debates this yr embody Carlos Sainz being aggrieved that race management didn’t step in sooner when it was clear he had overwhelmed Sergio Perez to the pit exit security automotive line in Jeddah, Fernando Alonso’s fury at being penalised for chopping a chicane in Miami and each Purple Bull automobiles being cleared for crossing the pit exit line final outing in Monaco, when Yuki Tsunoda’s comparable transfer on the pit entry line in Austria 2021 was sanctioned.
A number of drivers additionally expressed their frustration {that a} requested Tecpro barrier was not put in on the Miami chicane following Carlos Sainz’s heavy crash there, the place Esteban Ocon later cracked a chassis.
This, mixed with the jewelry debate and perceived on-going inconsistencies in sporting penalty selections, has led to rigidity between the F1 discipline and officers.
When requested to evaluate the FIA’s officiating to this point in 2022, Alonso, who raged in opposition to his Miami penalty earlier than backtracking after talks with president Mohammed bin Sulayem, led the dialogue – after an amusing trade with Sebastian Vettel over who would discipline the query in gentle of Alonso’s feedback in Spain.
“I’ve full belief within the FIA president, sure,” mentioned Alonso. “That might be my reply.
“[But] in the meanwhile possibly [decisions are] a bit tough. We noticed few issues at first yr that weren’t as constant as we want, or as we ask for, [and] I believe there’s room to enhance sure.
“However I’ve full belief within the FIA president. So, he’ll repair the issues that should be mounted.”
Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1 Crew, within the drivers’ press convention
Picture by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Photographs
Talking alongside Alonso, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc mentioned: “I want to see extra consistency, that is the place we have to enhance.
“Whether or not it is going to be improved or not I do not know however as Fernando mentioned there’s room for enchancment and now we simply must make issues higher.”
Hamilton acknowledged that “we’ve got to trust that they are going to proceed to make progress” and that he thinks “it is about collaboration”.
He added: “Usually I believe {that a} good job has been finished to this point. It is going to get higher. We are attempting to work with the FIA.
“From Mohammed – I believe it is an enormous function, huge footwear to fill, and we simply want to present him time.
“There’s so much that he desires to do and many issues he desires to alter. I consider from what he has advised us that he’ll do these.”
Vettel acknowledged for the drivers “it is at all times troublesome typically [when] it’s important to cope with selections that [sometimes] you perceive and agree with and typically you do not”.
“Nevertheless it’s additionally a bit the character of the game,” he continued. “It isn’t at all times a black and white determination. For us you possibly can at all times enhance and there is at all times stuff you possibly can study.”
Officers, together with Niels Wittich, Race Director, FIA, Bernd Maylander, Security Automotive Driver, examine the monitor
Picture by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Photographs
On the precise situation of getting alternating race administrators, which Haas driver Kevin Magnussen mentioned on Thursday was making it “harder to essentially perceive what the principles are”, George Russell mentioned it was “too early to evaluate”.
“Clearly, the 2 race administrators are new to the function and with any new function you want time to settle in,” Vettel’s fellow GPDA director continued.
“We’re seven races in – 5 and two races every [for Wittich and Freitas respectively].
“I believe we have to have this open dialogue between the drivers, the race administrators, or the workforce managers or race administrators.
“We’re clearly the one 20 drivers inside the race automobiles who’ve a sense of what the race tracks are like – what must be finished to enhance security to enhance the race and no matter.
“And we have to have this open relationship to push the game ahead in all instructions. And I believe it’s going to take just a few extra races.
“However hopefully we’ll all be on the identical web page sooner moderately than later.”
Talking at an earlier press convention session forward of opening follow for this weekend’s Baku race, alongside Russell, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas urged: “One [race director] can be higher than two or three”
“That is my feeling,” he added.
“[Having] the identical particular person in every race, you at all times have the identical particular person to debate with if he is been in all of the races earlier than and brought all of the suggestions and form of is aware of our view.
“That is my opinion. I believe one can be higher.”