The FIA shared details of the F1 drivers’ meet in Qatar on Thursday evening where they discussed on various topics around penalties, guidelines and driving standards.
The much awaited F1 drivers’ meet took place on Thursday evening ahead of Qatar GP at Lusail, where the FIA team which includes the Race Director and stewards met with all the 20 drivers along with GPDA head Alexander Wurz to discuss on various topics related to driving standards.
The idea was to have a healthy discussion around racing guidelines which was introduced in 2022 as a module for the FIA stewards to judge a racing maneuver. It was firmed that the document is not a regulation, but a mere reference point where the stewards remain the ultimate decision maker.
The Thursday discussion involved five overtakes during the course of 2025 season, which are:
- Piastri–Antonelli (Interlagos): overtaking on the inside.
- Sainz–Bearman (Monza): overtaking on the outside.
- Sainz–Lawson (Zandvoort): application of the DSGs in long-radius corners.
- Norris–Leclerc (Austin): track limits and what should or should not count as a strike.
- Verstappen–Leclerc (Mexico City): leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage.
The details around the said moves wasn’t shared by the FIA but they noted down some key takeaways from the meet, which are –
- A stronger emphasis on respect for yellow flags, and discussion of potential additional concepts to further enhance safety.
- A clear preference for hearings to be held after the race when stewards believe not all relevant elements may be available during live running.
- A shared view that guidelines cannot cover every scenario, underlining the importance of having an experienced Driver Steward on each panel.
- Blue flags, including potential additions to the DSGs to clarify expected behaviour from lapped cars.
The FIA highlighted that the meeting was constructive and frank with good feedback and open dialogue from all involved. There are likely changes to be implemented in the future to the guidelines, but nothing will change for the last two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Here’s the summary from the FIA –
These annual meetings provide an open forum for drivers and stewards to discuss driving standards and penalty guidelines, share perspectives, and ensure that regulations are applied clearly and consistently. They also allow the FIA to gather feedback and review guidance where appropriate. A central focus of the discussion was the Driving Standards Guidelines (DSGs), first introduced in 2022 at the request of the drivers to clarify what is and is not permitted when overtaking or defending on track. The DSGs are intended to be a living document, have been updated twice since their introduction, and are publicly available to improve transparency and help newer fans better understand stewarding decisions. The current F1-specific version has been reviewed and agreed with the GPDA.
The stewards reiterated that the DSGs are guidelines, not regulations. They explain how the rules are interpreted in practice, with the aim of ensuring a level playing field and consistent decision-making. Data from the past three seasons shows that the DSGs have contributed to greater consistency in stewarding decisions, supported by detailed analysis provided by teams. After 22 races and five Sprints this season — involving dozens of racing incidents — the discussion focused primarily on a small number of case studies, which formed the basis of most of the debate.
The FIA and the Formula 1 Stewards would like to thank the drivers and teams for their constructive input. The discussion was frank, open and conducted in a very collegial atmosphere, which was greatly appreciated by the stewards. The points raised will inform any future refinements to the DSGs, in consultation with the GPDA and the FIA Drivers’ Commission. No changes will be made for the final two Grands Prix of the 2025 season.
Here’s F1 drivers on the meeting