FIA Preps Questionable Diktat Days After Guenther Steiner & Co.’s Dissenting Appeal

Ever since the introduction of the sprint format weekends, there have been several controversies regarding the FIA regulations. With varying opinions increasing more this season, FIA seems to now be determined to introduce a rule change after Guenther Steiner and Haas’ dissenting appeal at the United States Grand Prix.

Despite Max Verstappen’s masterclass, the United States Grand Prix 2023 unfortunately goes down for being a race full of track-limits infringements. While Haas’ appeal at the COTA certainly played a big part, with a lot of teams such as Ferrari, Aston Martin, and McLaren appealing more often, a change was on the horizon.

Guenther Stiner and Haas’ appeal makes FIA to introduce changes in rules

If you didn’t know, after a messy United States Grand Prix, Haas appealed to the FIA. The appeal urged the administration to look into the rules, as several drivers seemed to have crossed the track limits on the COTA without facing any punishment. Given how the F1 cars have evolved, Haas’ appeal made sense. Especially when considering the introduction of the sprint-racing format, with no changes in the rules to accommodate.

However, according to motorsport.com, recent news has emerged that the FIA is going to introduce a change in its regulations that some F1 teams might not like. As of now, an F1 team can ask for a review 14 days after an event. But now it seems like that right-to-review period might be going down to just 4 days!

The FIA will now proceed to amend the International Sporting Code along with its own judicial rules for 2024. However, it is subject to approval at the Annual General Assembly in December. The changes will apply to F1 and all other FIA competitions.

The 14-day limit has acted as an ally for F1 teams, as this gave them roughly 2 weeks to present their evidence to the FIA. Clearly, the fact that a lot of teams have recently been appealing more often made them put out a firm statement to the teams. Surely the likes of Toto Wolff and others would not be happy reading this news.

READ MORE: “Let’s Get Rid of Sprint!”: Jenson Button Reveals True Feelings Against FIA’s Experimental Gamble

But sadly for the F1 teams, there’s more! Now, an introduction of a fee will also be introduced. And a refund is only applicable if the stewards uphold the right of review. Fun times ahead for the team bosses!

With F1 rules & regulations being flawed by current standards, is the FIA going in a backward direction?

Whilst there haven’t been 2021 season levels of drama, the F1 2023 has had its fair share of controversial moments. However, one thing that a lot of people would agree on is the fact that FIA has not been at its best, in terms of implying fair and sensible regulations. With some even branding FIA and F1 on a different page, it has not been an easy ride for them. Especially after the Lewis Hamilton-Charles Leclerc post-race plank incident.

This becomes more evident with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner‘s comments on the future of racing and FIA rules. He stated, “I think that perhaps where we need to pay urgent attention before it’s too late”.

Former Mercedes Chief Technical Officer, Mike Elliott, also shared his thoughts on FIA and how they need to handle future changes, before leaving his post. He added, “When you sort of look at 2026, there’s a whole load of things that go into there, you know, what’s gonna happen with the tyres, what’s gonna happen with the weight of the cars, what’s happening with the aerodynamics. It’s a big, complicated picture. Over the course of the next few months, I think the teams and the FIA will have to sort out how we’re going to make those regulations work.”

Only time will tell whether that’ll end up being the case. Let’s hope that the FIA does indeed listen to the concerns of the teams and bring positive changes. Not doing so can potentially kill the true essence of F1 racing.

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Following Guenther Steiner and Haas’s appeal regarding the track infringements at the United States GP, FIA prepares for questionable diktat days.