Scrutineering

Scrutineering is the official technical inspection process in motorsport where vehicles are examined to ensure they comply with safety standards and competition regulations before being allowed to race.

During scrutineering, trained officials called scrutineers thoroughly check various aspects of the vehicle, including dimensions, weight, safety equipment, engine specifications, and structural integrity. This process typically occurs before an event but can also happen during or after races to maintain compliance.

Failing scrutineering means a team must correct any issues before participating. For example, in Formula 1, cars undergo meticulous scrutineering where everything from wing dimensions to fuel systems is verified, while in grassroots racing, inspections focus on essential safety features like roll cages, harnesses, and fire extinguishers.