In a world where speed reigns supreme, even the decisions of FIA commissioners will now have a second chance. Thanks to revisions to the International Sporting Code, race officials will now be able to reconsider their choices without a team needing to get involved. An evolution that could well transform the landscape of Formula 1 starting in 2026!
A new breath for the FIA
Between the last meeting of the World Motor Sport Council and the FIA awards gala, the federation held its general assembly. While the main news, on the institutional level, is the unsurprising and unopposed reelection of president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, this assembly also resulted in the validation of several measures that could influence the world of motorsport.
In a lengthy press release published following this general assembly, it was announced that several modifications will be made to the International Sporting Code (ISC). As a reminder, this document aims to “regulate motorsport” (article 1.2.2) and establishes general rules that all championships governed by the FIA must follow, starting with Formula 1, to which competitors are expected to adhere.
The right of review: an evolving mechanism
Within Formula 1, in recent years, one procedure has particularly caught attention: the “right of review” (article 14). Thanks to this mechanism, teams can request that the commissioners re-examine a decision made during a Grand Prix if they present a “new, significant, and relevant element that was not available to the parties at the time of the decision.”
Recently, this right was highlighted when the penalty imposed on Carlos Sainz during the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix was annulled. Indeed, Williams had provided onboard videos that the commissioners did not have at their initial disposal. Accepting these elements as “new, significant, and relevant,” they then decided to overturn their decision. However, this outcome remains rare, as this procedure generally results in a rejection or an unchanged decision.
Changes that could shake up the landscape
Starting next year, a major change could come to light, not just in Formula 1. Among the announced modifications, it was specified that “adjustments have been made to allow commissioners officiating in FIA world championships (F1, WEC, WRC, Formula E, Rally-Raid, RX) as well as in FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships to re-examine their decisions on their own initiative if they discover a new significant and relevant element that they did not have at the time they made their decision.”
This evolution could reduce the burden of the current process. Indeed, if the commissioners realize that a crucial element was omitted during their decision, they will no longer need to wait for a team to ask them to reconsider a verdict. This thus paves the way for a more fluid and responsive process.
Other modifications to the International Sporting Code
The FIA motorhome in the paddock of the 2025 Hungarian GP of F1.
But that’s not all! The list of changes to the ISC does not stop there. Five other evolutions or additions have been communicated by the FIA, among which is a particularly interesting point. This aims to fill a gap for the swift handling of infractions outside of competition or covering multiple events. It also provides that the commissioners designated for a specific F1 Grand Prix hand over their power to “off-competition” commissioners.
This option could offer more time and latitude to handle complex cases, particularly those related to technical issues requiring thorough checks. It remains to be seen how these changes will be articulated when the revised document is published on the FIA website.
A promising future for Formula 1
These adjustments to the International Sporting Code open a new era for Formula 1 and other disciplines governed by the FIA. With a more flexible and responsive framework, teams and commissioners will be able to navigate an ever-evolving environment while ensuring that the spirit of competition remains intact.
As we eagerly await the full details of these revisions, one thing is certain: the world of motorsport is undergoing a transformation, and every turn could hold its share of surprises.
