Inspired by football? FIA President wants to create VAR for Formula 1. How will it work?

In addition to the dismissal of the current race director Michael Masi, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem came up with the idea of applying to Formula 1 a similar thing to the VAR system in football. But how should it work?

As well as their race directors, Formula 1 races will also be overseen by a new VRC (Virtual Race Control), which will very likely be based in Geneva, and is intended to perform a similar function to that of a video assistant referee in football.

Even Ben Sulayem himself in his statement compared this new system to football’s VAR.

Moreover, the president’s plan has already been endorsed by Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and team bosses at Monday’s F1 Commission meeting in London.

“Firstly, to assist the race director in the decision-making process, we will create a virtual control room,” Ben Sulayem said in a statement.

“Just as the VAR system works in football, the VRC will be located outside the race track to assist the race director in his decision-making process and help him apply the sport’s regulations in real time thanks to this state-of-the-art technology,” he explained.

“Secondly, live radio communication during the race, which is currently broadcast live on all TV stations, will be removed to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to make decisions in peace,” Ben Sulayem reveals his plans.

The race director will still be able to ask questions, he says, except that this communication will be handled through a well-defined process.

Finally, he reminded everyone that with this plan, the FIA is opening the door for further improvements and is on the road ahead, towards a better future. Respect and support for the referees is said to be the very essence of the FIA.

And, as the President’s statement also says, these structural changes are crucial in the context of the strong development and legitimate expectations of drivers, teams, manufacturers, organisers and, of course, fans.

F1, FIA, Motorsport