FIA expands Formula E regulations to include new out-of-competition stewards panel

The FIA has expanded the sporting regulations for the 2025/26 Formula E World Championship. The regulations now provide for a permanent body of stewards that can also deal with suspected offences by teams and manufacturers outside of race weekends and impose sanctions. It consists of at least five members.

As in Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship, the FIA has now also anchored a new panel in the Formula E Sporting Regulations. This body will also fulfil the duties of the stewards outside of race weekends. It will be responsible in particular when suspected offences occur outside the framework of an event, affect several events, have no immediate direct impact on an event or cannot wait until the next race weekend due to time constraints. In addition, the stewards on site can delegate a case to the new panel.

The panel consists of at least five stewards and is therefore larger than the usual panel of stewards at a race weekend. In Formula E, this is made up of a chairman, an international and a national stewards. The three stewards are supported by a former or partly still active racing driver, who only has an advisory role.

In practice, the new panel is likely to become particularly relevant in the event of suspected rule violations by manufacturers and teams. Drivers are unlikely to play a role in offences outside of race weekends. In addition, a new article has been added to the regulations that lists the possible penalties for manufacturers and teams that the panel can impose.

Manufacturers are threatened with stricter control measures, fines, the curtailment of private test days, points deductions in the manufacturers' standings or, in extreme cases, the withdrawal of the right to supply vehicles to teams. Teams, on the other hand, are threatened with fines, points deductions in the teams' standings, a reduction in the number of operational personnel authorised for the next race and a reduction in the time allowed for the next free practice session.

An enquiry by e-Formula.news to the FIA as to whether the committee has already been set up and, if so, which members belong to it, has so far remained unanswered.