P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The FIA says its new officials department will lead to a “more professional” governing body after Formula 1 teams and drivers called for improved officiating.
Last September, the governing body announced plans to introduce a department to professionalize officiating and train upcoming officials in all motor-racing categories. Matteo Perini, appointed Sport Officials Manager at the FIA, will lead the department to train the next generation of officials, creating a larger talent pool. The FIA acknowledges the lack of trained race stewards, directors, and officials and aims to address this shortfall. The calls for full-time stewards in F1 were prompted by incidents in the past years and criticism from teams like Red Bull and McLaren. FIA aims to rely less on volunteers and enhance analysis with a more professional setup, a move welcomed by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Despite the recent sackings causing disruptions, FIA plans to have more officials in the future for efficient race management and decision-making.
