A Crucial Summit at Lusail

The FIA described the discussion as “frank, open and collegial,” underlining that both sides were determined to improve decision‑making and consistency without undermining the authority of the stewards.

The gathering followed months of criticism from drivers about confusing or inconsistent rulings, particularly under the Driving Standards Guidelines (DSGs) introduced in 2022 and updated several times since. The session lasted over an hour and involved virtually the entire grid, with GPDA leadership and several team representatives present.

Incidents Reviewed and Topics on the Table

To ground the debate, FIA stewards and drivers reviewed a series of high‑profile incidents from the last three seasons, including wheel‑to‑wheel battles and track‑limits controversies. Examples cited in reports include clashes such as:

• Piastri–Antonelli at Interlagos
• Sainz’s incidents with Bearman at Monza
• Lawson at Zandvoort
• Norris–Leclerc at COTA
• Verstappen–Leclerc in Mexico

Each case was used to test how the guidelines were interpreted. Drivers argued that some rulings lacked common‑sense context, especially when nuances like corner radius, car dynamics, and surface camber were not fully appreciated in real time.

The FIA acknowledged these concerns and agreed that case‑study reviews with driver input will continue to refine how the guidelines are applied.

Key Takeaways: Yellow Flags, Hearings and Driver Stewards

Out of the meeting, the FIA highlighted four core messages from the drivers:

1. Safety First: Competitors want a stronger emphasis on respecting yellow flags, paired with clearer procedures and possible extra measures to enhance safety in hazardous zones.
2. Post-Race Hearings: There was a “clear preference” for more hearings after races when stewards feel they lack complete information during live running, giving drivers a chance to explain incidents before penalties are finalized.
3. Driver Stewards: Both sides accepted that written guidelines cannot cover every conceivable scenario, reinforcing the importance of having an experienced Driver Steward—ideally a former racer—on every panel.
4. Blue Flags: Blue‑flag management for lapped cars will be reviewed, with potential updates to clarify what is expected from backmarkers when leaders approach.

No Immediate Changes, but Further Work Ahead

Despite the candid feedback, the FIA confirmed that no changes will be implemented to the Driving Standards Guidelines for the final two races of the 2025 season.

« Data from the last three years was cited to show that the DSGs have, overall, improved consistency, though the body accepted that refinement is still needed. »

Longer‑term topics such as permanent, professional stewarding panels—backed by several drivers including George Russell and Carlos Sainz—were also raised, but no agreement was reached on funding or implementation. The FIA nonetheless thanked drivers for their “constructive input” and signaled that the Lusail summit will inform the next revision cycle of the regulations.