Stewards Inquiry

A Stewards' Inquiry is an official investigation conducted by race officials to determine whether a rule violation or on-track incident occurred during a motorsport event, which may result in penalties or changes to the race results.

In motorsport, stewards act like referees in other sports. They watch over races to make sure everyone follows the rules and competes fairly. When something questionable happens on the track, these officials have the power to launch an investigation called a Stewards' Inquiry.

The inquiry can start in two ways. Sometimes the stewards themselves notice a potential problem while watching the race. Other times, a driver or team can file an official complaint, asking the stewards to investigate something they believe was unfair or against the rules.

Common reasons for a Stewards' Inquiry include dangerous driving, one car blocking or interfering with another, breaking safety car rules (like passing when you're not supposed to), or technical violations like having illegal car parts. The stewards can also investigate if they suspect someone provided false information or cheated in some way.

When an inquiry begins, everyone involved gets notified. The stewards then gather evidence, which includes reviewing video footage from multiple camera angles, examining data from the cars' computer systems, and sometimes interviewing the drivers and team members. This process is similar to how officials in other sports might review instant replays to make the right call.

After examining all the evidence, the stewards meet privately to discuss what they found and decide if anyone broke the rules. They then announce their decision, which could range from "no penalty" (meaning the original race results stand) to various punishments.

Penalties from a Stewards' Inquiry can include time penalties added to a driver's race time, grid position penalties for the next race, fines for the team, or even disqualification from the event. In serious cases, these decisions can completely change who won the race or how drivers finish in the championship standings.

The entire process is designed to be fair and transparent. The stewards must explain their reasoning for any decision they make, and this information is shared with the teams and the public. While their decisions can sometimes be controversial among fans and competitors, the Stewards' Inquiry system is essential for maintaining fair competition and ensuring that everyone plays by the same rules in motorsport.