"No improvement without acknowledging mistakes": Formula E drivers send complaint letter to FIA President Ben Sulayem

As reported by colleagues at The Race, Formula E’s drivers have sent a letter signed by all 20 drivers to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. In the letter, they sharply criticise various decisions made by Formula E race director Marek Hanaczewski as well as the lack of consistency of the FIA stewards and the lack of Formula E knowledge among the ex-drivers who advise the stewards on race weekends.

According to the media report, the letter was sent to the FIA President on 11 March by driver representatives Lucas di Grassi and Oliver Rowland. It begins with the statement that the drivers "see a lot of effort and improvement year over year with the local ASNs, marshalling, safety, track conditions, technical fairness and general protocols".

The tone then becomes significantly harsher. The drivers wish to "formally express our shared and growing concern regarding the current standard, consistency, and procedural coherence of stewarding and race direction within the championship". They call for an "internal evaluation of (the) race director (sic) understanding and reasoning of the sporting rules," adding that "without the capacity – and humility – to acknowledge and learn from mistakes, there is little evidence of continuous improvement."

Drivers call for "driver advisers with Formula E experience"

But it was not only the race director who was explicitly criticised: The drivers also criticised the lack of continuity in stewarding personnel, as well as inconsistencies in decision-making and the issuing of penalties. Among the measures demanded are "conducting an independent review of stewarding consistency" and "appointing driver advisers with direct Formula E experience". e-Formula.news had already suggested such a step in a commentary after the 2023 season finale. Alex Sims, a former Formula E driver, has also served this role in the past.

The letter concludes with several key demands, including a "formal structured driver-race direction forum, publishing clearer championship-specific stewarding guidelines, an independent review of stewarding consistency," as well as the "creation of error-correcting mechanisms in the processing of applying and delivering penalties." According to The Race, the reason for the letter is also that the drivers have not felt that their concerns have been sufficiently heard for some time.

In a statement to The Race, an FIA spokesperson said that the FIA was "in regular correspondence with ABB FIA Formula E World Championship manufacturers, teams and drivers on a variety of topics. We are reviewing the comments on sporting matters raised recently by drivers, and will continue with the same proactive approach to develop and invest in this championship, ensuring the highest standards are maintained."

FIA President Ben Sulayem, who has rarely attended Formula E races in the past, is reportedly planning to attend the Madrid E-Prix. According to information from e-Formula.news, he is also said to have written a response to the drivers, the content of which has not yet been revealed.

Team principals surprised by the drivers' unilateral action & distance themselves

The ten Formula E team bosses were not informed about the letter: they are said to have only learnt about it after the letter was sent to the FIA President. In response, some teams are said to be considering withholding bonus payments for the drivers or imposing fines. The Formula E Teams’ and Manufacturers’ Association is even said to have been in contact with the FIA to distance itself from the move.

The direct criticism of the race director in particular is reportedly not shared by everyone on the team side. "I think he has done a good job", one anonymous team principal told The Race. "He works with the teams and takes feedback from the drivers. So I’m not sure (the letter) was fully justified."

Whether the drivers' letter will lead to a rethink among those responsible at the FIA is still completely unclear at the moment. One thing is clear: The letter did not make its way into the media by chance. "This is probably part of the plan", as is being said behind closed doors at the FIA.