The aim of the seminar, for the first-time taking place virtually, was to exchange expertise and maintain the high standard of stewarding and race direction across various motor sport disciplines.

The four-day event was initiated by opening remarks of FIA President Jean Todt. “The importance of your role in a matter of safety and equitable decisions is inestimable for the reputation and integrity of motor sport and of the FIA,” said the President of the governing body of world motor sport.

The FIA’s commitment and support of its officials was highlighted via the implementation of a dedicated online platform, allowing the participants to network and learn, taking part in online workshops addressing real-life case studies.

FIA International Steward Garry Connelly, Chairman of the Organizing Committee began by explaining the role and the authority of the Stewards and the qualities required by the FIA from their Stewards, while FIA Deputy President for Sport Graham Stoker spoke about the importance of the role of the Stewards in the FIA’s Judicial System. 

The system itself, including the International Court of Appeal, International Tribunal and Ethics Committee, was covered in more detail during a dedicated session by FIA’s Head of Governance, Integrity and Regulatory Affairs Pierre Ketterer.

Formula 2 and Formula 3 Race Director Silvia Bellot discussed the range of available templates outlining how to formulate decisions correctly, granting a fair process, avoiding mistakes and improving consistency between different FIA championships as well as ASN-organised competitions.

Hosted by Formula 1 Race Director Michael Masi, the Competitors’ Panel, featuring representatives of different top-line competitions, was one of the highlights of the event. The panel featured Rene Rosin, team manager of single-seater title-winning outfit Prema, Ferrari’s Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz, WRC event winner Andreas Mikkelsen as well as Formula E titlists Jean-Eric Vergne and Lucas Di Grassi. 

The event concluded with the closing speech by FIA Secretary General Sport Peter Bayer. “Thank you all for participating in this very important seminar,” Bayer said.

“An annual coming together is vital for Stewards and Race Directors to develop the exchange and discuss cases. It’s great to see so many different people from all over the planet coming together and making sure they will improve their skills on how to legislate motor sport, which they do in the name of the FIA. 

“Thanks to the digital opportunity we’ve been offering, we had a brilliant Competitors’ Panel. Loads of media representatives were also participating, which I think is great, because the more transparently we can share what we do and how we do it, the more they’ll understand it and the more they’ll know where to ask and where to address their questions.” he concluded.