FIA Data Reveals Low 'Controversial' F1 Penalty Rate

New data from the FIA indicates that less than one percent of Formula 1 incidents referred to stewards in 2025 were deemed 'controversial' by drivers. This insight emerged from a crucial meeting in Qatar aimed at refining the Driving Standards Guidelines, suggesting that while concerns exist, the vast majority of stewarding decisions are not heavily disputed.

Why it matters:

After ongoing discussions and occasional critiques from drivers regarding the consistency and interpretation of F1's Driving Standards Guidelines, this data provides a statistical counterpoint. It suggests that despite perceptions of frequent contentious calls, the actual number of hotly debated incidents is remarkably low, potentially influencing future discussions on stewarding and regulatory clarity.

The Details:

• The FIA met with F1 drivers in Qatar to discuss the Driving Standards Guidelines, addressing concerns about penalty application.
• Sources indicate the meeting was productive, with plans to increase the frequency of such discussions from F1 2026, adding a mid-season session.
• Garry Connelly, chairman of the stewards, presented key figures up to the Las Vegas Grand Prix:
  • 509 incidents and cases were referred to the stewards.
  • 405 incidents were placed under investigation.
  • 410 written decisions were issued (including petitions for review and protests).
  • 153 penalties were dished out, representing just over a quarter of investigated incidents.
• Crucially, only five instances were identified as 'controversial' by drivers, accounting for less than one percent of all referred incidents.
• The Driving Standards Guidelines are a 'living' document created in conjunction with drivers to clarify on-track rules, guiding stewards alongside the FIA International Sporting Code and F1's Sporting Regulations.
• Following the Qatar meeting, it was clarified that these guidelines are purely informative for stewards and do not hold regulatory value on their own.

By the numbers:

Here's a breakdown of penalties issued in F1 2025:

• Pit Lane Speeding Fines: 12
• Other Fines: 11
• Formal Warnings: 31
• Reprimands: 19
• 5 Second Penalties: 25 (6 for causing a collision)
• 10 Second Penalties: 22 (11 for causing a collision)
• Drive Through Penalties: 2
• Stop and Go Penalties: 0
• Grid Position Drops/Pit Lane Starts: 22
• Disqualifications: 9

Between the lines:

The FIA also detailed the stewarding process and panel composition to ensure transparency:

• Stewards Panel: For 2026, it comprises 4 experienced Chairs, 3 former F1 Drivers, and 5 Number 2 FIA Stewards. Each event has one Chair, one Number 2 FIA Steward, and one Driver Steward.
• All FIA F1 Stewards must hold an FIA Super Licence, attend annual training, and pass rigorous assessments.
• Decisions are made by the entire panel, with significant emphasis on the Driver Steward's views for driving incidents. Consistency is maintained by often having a steward from the previous race present or available online.
• Incident Handling: Race Control notes incidents, leading to preliminary examinations. If warranted, incidents are placed 'Under Investigation,' triggering a detailed examination using all available data (broadcast, CCTV, onboard, telemetry, radio, GPS).
• Stewards either post 'No Further Action' or issue a penalty with a full written decision detailing the breach and reasons.

What's next:

The ongoing dialogue between the FIA and drivers, coupled with a commitment to increasing the frequency of these discussions, suggests a proactive approach to refining F1's sporting regulations. This transparency and data-driven review process could lead to even greater clarity and consistency in stewarding decisions in future seasons, potentially further reducing the perception of 'controversial' calls.