Brown joins calls for full-time stewards in Formula 1
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McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has added his voice to the growing chorus within Formula 1 advocating for the introduction of full-time FIA stewards, citing the need for greater consistency in decision-making and a more balanced approach to racing regulations.
In recent seasons, Formula 1 has seen a surge in penalties and regulatory disputes, leaving teams and drivers frustrated by perceived inconsistencies.
For Brown, the solution lies in overhauling the current stewarding system.
While acknowledging that new overtaking rules are slated for 2025 to clarify acceptable racing conduct, Brown emphasizes the need for a more subjective approach to officiating.
The American believes that the current system, where stewards are not full-time employees of the FIA and are instead compensated for expenses, is not conducive to consistent and effective decision-making, a view shared by the Grand Prix Drivers Association.
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"I think we need to take a step back in the winter," Brown told Channel 4. "We have too many penalties, we have too many inconsistencies.
"I think we all recognise we need full-time stewarding. I don't blame the stewards, but I don't think they're set up for success, so we need full-time stewards."
Controversial Penalties
Brown's remarks follow a series of controversial penalties during the 2024 season that directly impacted McLaren's championship campaign.
Lando Norris, McLaren's title-challenging driver, was penalized in Austin for overtaking Max Verstappen off the track.
In Mexico, Verstappen himself received two 10-second penalties for aggressive maneuvers involving Norris.
These incidents highlighted the difficulty of applying overtaking rules consistently, an issue that has become a focal point for teams and fans alike.
"I also think, and we've got no-one but ourselves to blame, whether it's the teams, the drivers – we've over-ruled, like, everything – so now, it's like, literally the race to the apex," Brown admitted.
Balancing Rules and Racing Spirit
The FIA has already announced updates to overtaking regulations for the 2025 season to provide clearer guidelines on acceptable driver conduct.
However, Brown believes the sport should embrace a more discretionary and subjective approach to stewarding, prioritizing common sense over rigid rule enforcement.
"So I think we just need to take a step back and be a bit more subjective, discretionary and a little bit of common sense when some of these penalties are applied."
Brown's support for full-time stewards adds significant weight to the argument, as McLaren heads into the new season as the reigning Constructors' Champions, their first such title since 1998.
His comments highlight a growing consensus within the sport that a change in stewarding structure is necessary to ensure fairer and more consistent race outcomes.
Ben Sulayem: 'Let the Drivers Pay!'
However, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has shown little inclination to establish a dedicated group of professional stewards for Formula 1.
Adding to the controversy, Ben Sulayem suggested that the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) should bear the financial responsibility for such a system.
"It's very nice talk," Ben Sulayem told Autosport in an interview last month. "But when they say professional, and they want professional, they don't want to pay for it. That is so obvious."
As the sport continues to grapple with the question of how to improve consistency in stewarding, the debate over full-time stewards in Formula 1 is far from over.
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