P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1’s governing body is taking steps to improve and widen its pool of qualified race officials.
The FIA has revealed plans for a new ‘Officials Department’ to enhance the number of qualified race officials, with Italian Matteo Perini overseeing operations beginning in 2025. The department aims to recruit, empower, and streamline processes to support the over 300,000 officials covering FIA-sanctioned events worldwide. President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized the crucial role of officials in ensuring safe and fair motorsport competitions. With an increasing emphasis on diversity, the FIA is pleased to welcome officials from various backgrounds, with initiatives like the Regional Stewards program showing promising results. The sport has faced challenges in appointing race directors following Charlie Whiting’s passing, leading to the recent shift in roles between Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas. President Ben Sulayem highlights the importance of training and nurturing race directors for the future of motorsport officiating.
