The changes seek to give more transparency to decisions, to give more experience to first-time stewards and to speed up the decision-making process.

FIA Special Advisor Alan Donnelly, who conducted the review at the request of FIA President Max Mosley, put forward a number of proposals which were agreed by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

The current panel of stewards consists of two international stewards and one national steward, all of whom must be eligible for the FIA's super licence. For 2009, any national steward participating who is officiating for the first time will be required to 'observe' a minimum of one Grand Prix prior to their event.

Donnelly said: “In preparation for the Singapore Grand Prix, the Singapore ASN (National Sporting Authority) requested that the person who was to act as their national steward at the 2008 Grand Prix should observe stewards meetings prior to the event. I believe this was a very valuable initiative by the Singapore ASN, and would recommend that the FIA adopt this initiative first in Formula One and then potentially in the other FIA world championships.”

To further help give experience to budding officials, a number of trainee Stewards, nominated by their ASN and selected by the FIA, will be invited to attend a Grand Prix in 2009.

Donnelly added: “The nominees should be proposed by their ASN based on their interests, demonstrable knowledge of stewarding national motor sporting and their potential to both act as stewards in the FIA's world championship events and who themselves have an interest in training less experienced stewards in how to 'referee' motor sport.”

It was noted that no former driver is excluded from seeking their ASN national stewarding licence and then, as with all of the existing stewards, if they gain the necessary level of experience in stewarding events at a national, regional and international level the FIA can consider them for a steward's super licence.

To improve transparency, a short CV of each steward will be posted on the FIA website before each Grand Prix. Following the race, a short written explanation of steward's decisions will be published on the FIA website. This will supplement the formal steward's decision which largely defines the breach of the rules.

And where appropriate, additional film evidence that the public may not have seen but which was reviewed by the stewards, will be made available on both the FIA and FOM websites.

To speed up the decision-making process the stewards will utilise a new replay system, which will help them investigate all incidents and take appropriate action during the race, unless it is essential to seek further evidence afterwards.

Donnelly, who supervised the stewarding process at every race in the 2008 championship, admitted that he was highly impressed with all of the work done by the stewards and the FIA staff to regulate the sport.

He said: “I would like to commend the often unseen work of the FIA technical staff led by the race director. The dedication of the FIA team in regulating Formula One is a model of professionalism and efficiency and its contribution to the success of every event cannot be underestimated.”