FIA appoints Chief Steward

Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, plans to have a so-called 'Permanent Chief Steward' attend all 18 rounds of the 2006 Formula One season. This measure is supposed to make for better continuity when it comes to penalties and the interpretation of the regulations.

Following the retirement of Australia's John Large, the FIA has appointed Briton Tony Scott-Andrews Chief Steward, he will attend all the Grands Prix. Previously, the FIA worked with a system of four alternating stewards and diverse Chief Stewards. This practice, however, was often criticised, as teams and drivers had difficulty with a preceived lack of consistency when it came to the steward's decisions.

"Under the previous system all four permanent stewards spoke with eacht other on a regular basis and were aware of each other's decisions," explained Tony Scott-Andrews following his appointment. "Having the same steward at eacht race there is an even greater chance of consistency and of course that steward would have a greater awareness of the global scene in which he operates." For the past three years, Scott-Andrews was one of four Formula One stewards. Furthermore, the full time lawyer fulfilled a similar task in the British Touring Championship.