In future, Formula 1 teams will only have four days to request a review – The appeal system is also to be adapted
The FIA will revise its current rules to streamline the process that allows Formula 1 teams to request a Right of Review.
The time window for requesting a review after an event will be reduced from the current 14 days to four days or 96 hours. In addition, a fee will be introduced that does not currently exist.
The plan for the change was discussed prior to Haas’ recent request for a review for track limit breaches by rivals at the US Grand Prix in Austin.
However, this case shows that review requests are more common than they used to be and the FIA is keen to make teams think twice before bringing them.
In addition to the Haas example, such requests have also been made this year by Aston Martin (Bahrain), Ferrari (Australia) and McLaren (Austria).
“Right of Review” only for a fee
The FIA now intends to amend both the International Sporting Code and its own legal rules for 2024, which must still be approved by the Annual General Meeting in December. The changes will apply to all FIA competitions, not just Formula 1.
Originally, there was no time limit for a request for a review, so a team could theoretically challenge the result of a race that had taken place months earlier.
This time limit was later changed to 14 days. A time limit that Haas has recently taken full advantage of in compiling its evidence.
The plan is to change this period to 96 hours after the end of the race, although the stewards have the option to extend the period to 120 hours in exceptional circumstances.
A fee equivalent to the cost of an appeal will also be introduced – currently €6,000 in the case of Formula 1. This fee will only be refunded if the stewards grant the request.
No more trick series in appeals
The way the appeals system works is also to be changed. Currently, teams can register an intention to appeal and then decide within 96 hours whether or not to pursue the matter with a formal appeal.
The problem with the current system is that a notice of intent to appeal can suspend a penalty.
So a driver could receive a grid penalty and have it overturned by a letter of intent. The team could then withdraw from the appeal process after starting the race from the original grid position.
From now on, even if the decision is withdrawn, the matter will be referred to the International Court of Appeal and the team concerned could receive a penalty if it is deemed to have gained an advantage through the process.
Currently, no fee is payable unless the team actually appeals. In future, this fee must be paid in advance, together with the notification of the intention to appeal.
