The FIA is once again under fire, but this time, McLaren CEO Zak Brown is stepping in with a solution. As backlash mounts over inconsistent stewarding and questionable rule enforcement, Brown has endorsed FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s call for teams to help pay for full-time F1 stewards—a move that could radically change the sport’s officiating structure.
With Max Verstappen and fans fuming over penalty inconsistencies, and long-time steward Johnny Herbert axed, Brown believes that Formula 1 must evolve—and that means teams stepping up to foot the bill.
“This will probably be unpopular amongst my fellow teams,” Brown admitted. “But I’d be happy if McLaren and all the racing teams contribute. It’s so important for the sport. It can’t be that expensive if everybody contributes. It’s not going to break the bank.”
FIA’s Latest Controversy: A Sport in Turmoil
The FIA’s decision-making has been under the microscope all season, with Mohammed Ben Sulayem repeatedly making headlines for controversial comments and rule enforcement.
🔺 Inconsistent penalties—with Verstappen and others calling out unfair rulings.
🔺 Questionable new rules—implemented with little consultation.
🔺 Calls for ‘permanent stewards’—as fans and teams demand consistency.
Sulayem’s recent demand that F1 teams or drivers pay for the stewards’ salaries was met with heavy backlash, but Brown has taken a pragmatic stance, suggesting that if the sport wants real change, it must be willing to invest in it.
“In any business, if you want something different, it’s called a change order,” Brown explained. “If you want to change something, you have to pay for it.”
Is Full-Time Stewarding the Answer?
Currently, F1 stewards are not salaried employees—instead, they are trained ex-F1 drivers or officials who work on a part-time, rotating basis. This structure has led to wildly inconsistent penalty decisions, with different stewards enforcing rules differently from race to race.
Brown believes permanent, professional stewards would eliminate this inconsistency, ensuring that rulings are made fairly, predictably, and without bias.
“I don’t know the contractual commitments between F1 and the FIA,” Brown admitted. “But if we want full-time stewards, that means a structural change—and that comes with costs.”
The Future of FIA Rule Enforcement
As Formula 1 continues its global expansion, pressure is mounting on the FIA to modernize its officiating. Stewards now hold more power than ever, deciding race-defining penalties that impact championships.
The question is: Will other teams join Brown in supporting a paid stewarding system? Or will the FIA continue down its path of controversy and backlash?
One thing is certain—fans and teams won’t tolerate inconsistency much longer.
