FIA Asks Teams to Pay for New GPS System

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) looks set to improve the stewarding system in Formula One, starting the very 2010 season. Apart from the inclusion of former Grand Prix drivers in the stewarding team of each race – this has been one of Jean Todt's most appreciated changes for the upcoming season of Formula One – the FIA has also set up some technological improvements meant to make the stewards' job easier.

The controversial decisions made by the FIA stewards in the recent seasons of Formula One racing has led to plenty of criticism from the entire drivers' field, as well as from several team principals. In an effort to cut that criticism to a minimum, the ruling body confirmed it will install ultra-sophisticated GPS systems in all cars through the 2010 season.

According to a report from the GMM news agency, the new measure will lead to “the stewards being armed with better information in order to judge infractions including cutting chicanes, ignoring flags, illegal overtaking, impeding rivals and touching pit exit white lines.”

However, the story has a little tweak into it, as it seems the FIA doesn't want to spend a penny on this new technology. Instead, the ruling body has sent a 60,000 euro bill to all 13 teams that are currently part of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) in order to cover the costs of the GPS system.

A further report from Germany's Auto Motor und Sport publication revealed that the overall cost of the technology is around 750,000 euro.