Formula 1 is a complex sport — not just on the track, but behind the scenes as well. While most fans know about the teams, drivers, and engineers, fewer are familiar with the people responsible for running the races and enforcing the rules.
Two of the most important roles in this area are the Race Director and the Stewards. They may work closely together, but their responsibilities are quite different.
Let’s break down exactly what each role does — and how they shape every Grand Prix weekend.
The Race Director is the central authority responsible for managing the live execution of an F1 race weekend. This includes overseeing all on-track sessions — from free practice to qualifying and the race itself — and ensuring that the event runs safely and according to procedure.
Some of the key responsibilities include:
The Race Director is in constant contact with teams via radio and issues formal directives that all participants must follow. However, when it comes to applying penalties or judging incidents, the Race Director steps aside — that’s the job of the stewards.
Stewards are responsible for rule enforcement and incident adjudication. Whenever there’s a potential infraction — such as a collision, track limits violation, or unsafe release in the pits — it’s the stewards who investigate and decide what action to take.
They have the authority to:
Unlike the Race Director, stewards don’t manage the race’s flow — they intervene only when rule violations are suspected. Their goal is to keep the sport fair, consistent, and safe, based on precedent and available evidence.
Yes, but with clearly defined boundaries.
The Race Director may report an incident to the stewards or request that it be reviewed, but does not participate in the final decision. Similarly, stewards do not direct or interrupt race operations like the start procedure, safety car deployments, or red flags — those remain solely under the Race Director’s control.
This separation is intentional. It ensures that decisions related to penalties and disputes are made independently from those managing the race’s logistics and safety.
The Race Director is appointed by the FIA and often remains in that role for an extended period, offering consistency in the way races are managed.
Stewards, on the other hand, change with each race. A typical steward panel includes:
Rotating the steward panel helps reduce long-term bias and brings in fresh perspectives — particularly from the driver’s point of view.
Understanding the distinction between these two roles clarifies many moments of confusion during a race. For instance, when a driver receives a time penalty, it’s not coming from Race Control. It’s a decision made after review by the stewards.
Similarly, if a race is delayed due to rain or a crash, that decision doesn’t rest with the stewards — it’s the Race Director’s call.
Each role carries authority, but in different ways. Together, they form a checks-and-balances system that keeps the sport moving smoothly while upholding its regulations.
In summary: The Race Director manages the execution and flow of the event, while the stewards handle rules and discipline. They’re separate roles with distinct responsibilities — both essential to the fairness and safety of Formula 1. For fans looking to understand the sport more deeply, knowing who does what behind the scenes is just as important as knowing what happens on track.
