The British Grand Prix at Silverstone ended under a safety car after Max Verstappen spun on lap 48; the incident ignited former Haas boss Guenther Steiner’s demand that the FIA install permanent stewards and adopt artificial‑intelligence oversight.
Silverstone Safety Car Debacle
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc clinched his first victory of the year, with Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton trailing. On lap 48 of 52, Verstappen lost control at Stowe, dragging the safety car out for the remainder of the race. Initial broadcast graphics suggested the safety car would withdraw before the finish, but the FIA later admitted the warning was erroneous and that insufficient laps remained to properly unlapp lapped cars, preventing a final restart.
Steiner Calls for Permanent Stewards
During an appearance on the Red Flags Podcast, Steiner said the fault lay with the race director, who “did what the rulebook dictates.” He argued that “permanent stewards” could collaborate with the director to devise pre‑race solutions, avoiding the same oversight. Steiner also lauded Nikolas Tombazis for his technical organisation, noting that when changes are required, Tombazis is “on it.”
The Role of AI in Race Oversight
Steiner added that the FIA’s current software was insufficient for handling the countless permutations that arise at race conclusion. He proposed deploying AI to run through millions of scenarios instantly, a tool he claims no human can match. Steiner’s test case: if a marginally lapped car is half a lap ahead, AI could determine whether it risks interference on the penultimate lap, ensuring a fair finish.
Looking Ahead: Changes to the FIA Framework
Steiner’s core message is clear: the FIA must pre‑define finish‑process rules and equip its adjudicators with the technology to enforce them on the fly. The aim is to replace costly post‑race clarifications with proactive, tech‑driven precision. If implemented, the next British Grand Prix could finish under fully normal racing conditions, restoring the spectacle Silverstone is famed for.
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