F1: Why is Sainz calling for permanent stewards in Formula One?

Carlos Sainz on Thursday called for permanent race stewards in Formula One following his successful appeal against a penalty he received after a collision at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Williams driver Sainz protested immediately after his collision with Alpine’s Liam Lawson at the end of August. Williams submitted additional evidence and the Zandvoort stewards changed their decision and cancelled the penalty.

Under the present system, stewards are appointed by the International Motoring Federation (FIA) on a race-by-race basis, with the line-up changing regularly, leading to claims of inconsistency.

Sainz said two of the three stewards should be fixed for every race of the season.

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“F1 and the FIA agree that’s the way forward, where at least two of the three stewards are permanent and we have one rotational for teaching purposes,” he told reporters at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. “For sporting fairness purpose…two permanent, and we shouldn’t care about who pays, because there is enough money in this sport.”

“If it’s the right way forward, I cannot believe we’re talking about salaries. What would help is that, if I knew the referee was the same in every race, for me, I would know the pattern and, through years of working with them, how they were going to judge an incident in that moment.

“When you work with different races with different referees, it is very difficult to understand if a penalty is coming or not.

FILE PHOTO: Sainz added that he felt the Zandvoort decision was a positive step and was a good sign for the future.
| Photo Credit:
AP

“I think not everyone agrees that they can use the argument of football.

“We have different referees and no one complains, but there could be a guy who is penalised two or three times and he will start blaming ‘the steward that hates me.’ So I understand where they come from, those not in favour or permanent stewards, I understand, but I just have a very clear opinion on it.”

He added that he felt the Zandvoort decision was a positive step and was a good sign for the future.

“I’m not saying every case and scenario should be the same,” he said. “But cases like that were pretty obvious — and there have been times in the past where I’d like to have done this, but the team just said ‘look, we won’t get anywhere because it has to be new and relevant’.”

Published on Sep 18, 2025