The Formula 1 season that just ended has left room for much discussion, especially for the numerous controversial decisions taken by the stewards. From track limits to contacts during the race, an increasingly evident need has emerged: to guarantee uniformity and clarity in judgments. The FIA seems to have received the message and is focusing on technological innovation, in particular artificial intelligence, to address the problem.
During the World Motorsport Council held in Rwanda, the FIA announced an ambitious project: the introduction of artificial intelligence to support stewards. It is not just about streamlining decision-making processes, but about changing the way situations are analyzed and judged on the track.
A helping hand for stewards
The idea of integrating systems based on artificial intelligence was not born to replace steward, but to offer them more advanced tools. The aim is to improve consistency in decisions, a critical point that has sparked numerous controversies during the season. The AI will be able, for example, to analyze historical data to suggest penalties similar to previous cases or automatically detect infringements such as track limits, one of the most discussed issues of 2024.
Security, efficiency and justice
The FIA has identified three key areas to work on with AI:
1. Security: Prevent accidents by improving standards and introducing preventive measures.
2. Efficiency: Automate simple tasks to free up experts to focus on more complex tasks.
3. Equity: Ensure consistent judgments, based on direct comparison with similar situations in the past.
In a world like Formula 1, where every decision can change the course of a race (and a championship), these innovations could represent a real step forward.
Episodes not to be repeated
Looking back, there are many episodes where greater uniformity would have made a difference. From the track limits case in Austin, which turned the final standings upside down, to the controversial and debated penalties involving top drivers like Hamilton and Verstappen. Even the infamous “first lap incident” in Monza raised questions about how the regulations are applied.
Every race seems to bring a new debate, and for fans, this lack of clarity is a constant frustration. Is it time to move on?
A challenge for the future
The real question is whether artificial intelligence will really be able to make a difference. On the one hand, there are those who fear that excessive automation could remove the human side of decisions, on the other, there is the hope that AI can eliminate doubts and controversies, making motorsport more transparent.
For now, the FIA says it is optimistic and ready to invest in this technology. The first steps will be decisive to understand if this path will really lead to a positive change or if it will remain a simple experiment.
Source: FormulaPassion
