FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced key changes to refereeing and race direction ahead of the 2022 season .
- A new Virtual Race Control room will be created .Similar to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football, it will assist the F1 Race Director with the application of the rules using the most modern technological tools in real-time . It will be positioned in one of the FIA offices as a backup outside the circuit .
- Direct radio communications to the race director during the race will be removed from the television broadcast in order to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to take decisions peacefully .It will still be possible to ask questions to the race director, according to a well-defined and non-intrusive process.
- The procedures relating to unlapping of cars during a safety car period will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season.
- Herbie Blash has been appointed as a Permanent Senior Advisor alongside Niels Wittich and Edwards Freitas .
- Niels Wittich and Edwards Freitas will rotate in the role of Race Director , splitting the responsibility across the 23 championship races in 2022.
- Michael Masi, who accomplished a very challenging job for three years as Formula 1 race director following Charlie Whiting, will be offered a new position within the FIA .
FIA president added, “With this plan, FIA opens the way for a new step forward in Formula 1 refereeing. Without the referees, there is no sport. Respect and support of the referees is in the essence of the FIA. That is why these structural changes are crucial in a context of strong development and the legitimate expectations of drivers, teams, manufacturers, organizers, and of course, the fans.”
“I warmly thank all those who contributed to this reform.”
“These changes will enable us to start the 2022 Formula 1 season in the best conditions, and our sport will be even more loved and respected.”
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