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Why the steward policy at the FIA needs a shake-up after the Verstappen case
- Ludo van Denderen
Perhaps it was a coincidence. But a fact is that Johnny Herbert was one of the stewards on duty at both Singapore and Mexico; two Grands Prix where Max Verstappen received a hefty penalty. Herbert, a British former driver, currently makes his living as an analyst and also - fair enough - free of charge as a steward assessing whether F1 teams and their drivers are following the rules. But in a sport where the stakes have become immense, the outcome of a race - let alone a championship - can no longer depend on people with multiple duties like Herbert.
Everyone agrees that Verstappen deserved a penalty in Mexico last weekend for his maneouvres on Lando Norris. However, the level of the penalty is rightly a matter of debate. For why does Verstappen get no less than 20 seconds of time penalty, where in the recent past perhaps five seconds would have been given twice? The answer could no doubt point to the review of the guidelines following the US Grand Prix, which the drivers insisted on in Mexico.
Rules unfairly used against Verstappen
Unfair? Yes, hugely so. After all, you can't change the rules of the game in the middle of a season, you do that prior to a new year with clearly explaining how you will test those guidelines and what the possible penalties are. The way Verstappen was assessed in Mexico smacks of arbitrariness. Because why did Verstappen get punished, while other drivers in the same Grand Prix who were not for similar offences?
Does it perhaps have to do with the fact that one of the stewards is a Briton, who, moreover, as an analyst has regularly shown a preference for his fellow countrymen? It is a conflict of interest that Herbert holds this position, even if he believes he is doing an honest job. Because what if Christijan Albers were to say on TV one week what he thinks of a British driver, only to punish that same driver the following week for an action on the track. Either you are an analyst, or you are a steward; otherwise it is unethical.
This is what the FIA needs to change
Moreover, having a 'referee' (in this case, a steward) from the same country as one of the two title contenders are from is remarkable, to say the least. In football for example: it wouldn't be acceptable to have an England-Netherlands game refereed by a Dutchman. In Formula 1, it is apparently possible.
To rule out bias beforehand, the FIA would be wise to stop using stewards from countries that also has an F1 driver. That is difficult, but not impossible. Moreover, the FIA should get rid of stewards who do this work on a voluntary and occasional basis. As in any self-respecting sport, stewards should be professionals, constantly engaged in their work. If there are the same stewards every Grand Prix, the chances of making consistent decisions would be higher than it is currently the case. No doubt punishments by drivers would then be more accepted.
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