[Saba Sports News] The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has recently announced updates to its Sporting Regulations, significantly raising the deposit required for race protests, appeals and review applications from 2,000 euros to 20,000 euros while introducing supporting rules on administrative fees.
It is understood that this measure is designed to curb “speculative protests without substantive grounds”, accelerate the confirmation of post-race results and reduce the delay caused by disputes. Meanwhile, it has been clarified that the relevant fees will be included in the scope of the teams’ budget cap constraints, and the revised rules are confirmed to take effect from the new season onwards.
From the author’s perspective, the adjustment represents a necessary upgrade to race governance in terms of its positive impacts. On the one hand, the substantially higher fee threshold can effectively deter tactical protests lacking solid evidence, reduce cases where post-race results remain pending, shorten the waiting time for the public and the media, and help safeguard the commercial image and operational rhythm of the championships.
On the other hand, the rules adhere to the principle that the party assuming the risk shall bear the consequences. It is explicitly stated that the deposit will be refunded for successful protests. This not only protects legitimate rights-defense actions, but also, through the mechanism that financial costs will be incurred for unsuccessful protests, urges teams to carefully assess the strength of evidence and the probability of winning before lodging a protest. In doing so, it ensures that protests return to their essential purpose of upholding fair competition, rather than being used as a tool for tactical disruption.