On the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, Nico Hulkenberg attacked Logan Sargent aggressively. There was no contact between the cars, but Niko received a five-second time penalty for his actions. At Barcelona, Haas boss Günter Steiner returned to the topic of consistency in fines, saying Formula 1 needs professional stewards.
Günter Steiner: “There are professional referees in every professional sport. Formula 1 is one of the biggest sports series in the world, but we continue to use the services of non-professionals who determine the fate of people who have invested millions in their careers.
We constantly discuss that there is a lack of consistency in decision making. I don’t want to blame anyone in particular, but if the stewards don’t perform their duties on a permanent basis, then this isn’t a job. At work you get paid, you can be fired if you don’t do your job well. And in Formula 1, stewards cannot be fired for not being paid. I think we need to change the system – the time has come.
We have been debating this issue for years. Every other sport has professional referees, including the US NASCAR and IndyCar series. How often do you hear about problems with the stewards in these series or controversial decisions by the race director? Very rarely.
The difference with Formula 1 is that a different approach is used in the American series – the stewards work there on a permanent basis. I always believe that the rider is not guilty until proven guilty. I don’t have to prove my innocence, it doesn’t work that way.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
