The FIA has introduced an out-of-competition Stewards Panel for the rest of the 2025-26 ABB FIA Formula E world championship.
The new panel will see between races actions being enabled via a panel of at least five member stewards. Provision is given for the measure, which was written in to a revised set of Sporting Regulations this week.
Under Article 12.2 the added words states that ‘a) For the entire duration of the Championship season, the FIA will appoint a standing panel of Stewards (“Out-of-Competition Stewards Panel”) in accordance with Article 11.5 of the (International Sporting) Code and comprised of at least five members. b) In accordance with Article 11.5.4 of the Code, the FIA may refer an alleged breach of the applicable sporting, technical and/ or operational regulations to the Out-of-Competition Stewards Panel: i) where it occurs outside the framework of an Event, subject to the Article 11.7.1.b of the Code; ii) where the matter is time-sensitive such that it would not be appropriate to delay resolution until the next Event; iii) where the alleged breach does not have an immediate and direct impact on an Event; or iv) where the alleged breach relates to or has an impact on more than one Event.
Additionally, the amended article also stated that: ‘The FIA will give the relevant Competitor or Manufacturer a notice of its intention to refer an apparent or alleged breach to an Out-of Competition Stewards Panel. c) The Stewards appointed for an Event may delegate their authority to the Out-of-Competition Stewards Panel in accordance with Article 11.7.1.a.ii of the Code.’
The introduction of the panel comes after some criticism of decisions already this season including nor penalising Nyck de Vries at the opening Sao Paulo EPrix when he clashed with Dan Ticktum’s CUPRA Kiro Porsche causing the British driver to pit for a fresh tyre that was punctured.
Ticktum heavily criticised the stewards at the following Mexico City EPrix telling The Race that “The stewarding level in this championship at the moment is just dreadful, so everyone is driving like arseholes,” he told The Race.
“There’s loads of half moves, loads of lunges, not necessarily all the driver’s fault, really. It’s just it’s not being policed properly, and it’s just like a rental car race,” added Ticktum.
While there is no suggestion that the Out-of-Competition Stewards Panel has been introduced to help off-set being open to such criticism, it has long been suggested by teams and manufacturers that stewards need additional resources in Formula E.
Also, as part of the Sporting Regulations updates, it was clarified that the Out-of-Competition Stewards Panel would also have powers to issue sanctions after events.
According to the regulations now, for manufacturers these sanctions could include the following: i) Suspend the Manufacturer’s right to supply Cars; ii) Deduct points from the Manufacturer’s Title standings; iii) Reduce the number of private test days up to four (4) days per year; iv) Impose a fine; v) Impose enhanced monitoring procedures. b)
For teams the menu of sanctions was detailed as follows under Article 18.2: ‘Where a Competitor is found to be in breach of the applicable regulations, the Out-of-Competition Stewards Panel (if appointed), may impose any of the penalties listed in the Code, in Article 16.3 or below on such Competitor: i) Deduct points from the Competitors’ Title standings; ii) Impose a fine; iii) Reduce the number of minutes in the next Free Practice session up to forty (40) minutes; iv) Reduce the number of Operational Personnel authorised to work on the Cars for the next Competition up to five (5) persons.’
Formula E’s regular Chairman of the Stewarding Panel is Achim Loth, who has attended the majority of Formula E races since the Gen2 period of Formula E firstly as an International Steward and latterly as Chairman.
