The chief stewards will replace the previous system of four permanent stewards who alternated between races. The main idea behind the move is to bring even more consistency to the decision-making process.
 
F1’s new chief steward Tony Scott Andrews said: “Under the previous system all four permanent stewards spoke with each other on a regular basis and were aware of each other's decisions. Having the same steward at each race there is an even greater chance of consistency and of course that steward would have a greater awareness of the global scene in which he operates.”
 
WRC’s chief steward Nazir Hoosein added: “Both championships need a single permanent steward. It will help to sustain consistency in the decision making process.”
 
Both of the chosen chief stewards are seasoned campaigners in motor sport. Hoosein has been a regular steward in Formula One and rallying for the past ten years. He also has a seat on the World Motor Sport Council and was recently elected to be one of the six Vice Presidents of the FIA for Sport.

Scott-Andrews, has been one of the four permanent stewards in Formula One for the past three years as well as the National Steward for the British Grand Prix and joint chairman of the stewards for the British Touring Car Championship. A lawyer by profession, he is also chairman of the UK Motor Sports Council’s National Court and chairman of the Motor Sports Association Judicial Advisory Panel.

He was offered the F1 chief steward’s position after Australia’s John Large turned it down due to health issues. It was Large who recommended to FIA President Max Mosley that the role be offered to Scott-Andrews.

Large said: “I believe Tony Scott-Andrews should have been offered it in the first place. He is a first rate steward. He’s got a mind like a rat-trap when it comes to knowing the rules. He is polite, courteous and unassuming, all important attributes when dealing with the big personalities in Formula One. And he is a lawyer by profession. He brings the best of everything.”

Large still remains one of the most prominent figures in world motor sport. He continues to be Australia’s representative on the FIA World Motor Sport Council, is deputy president of the FIA Institute and is on the board of trustees of the FIA Foundation.

Large added: “When Max Mosley asked if I’d take up the position as permanent steward for all F1 races, I’d have loved to have done it. Unfortunately I have some health issues, including a pre-existing condition which needs regular treatment. I could not get health insurance outside Australia that did not preclude pre-existing conditions. Unfortunately I had to decline the offer.”

The duties of the permanent chief stewards will be exactly the same to those taken up by race stewards in previous years. They will continue to log the results of each competition together with having the overall say on the imposition of penalties and the maintenance of the rules.