George Russell proposes radical change to F1 stewards after Max Verstappen war of…read more
George Russell, a driver for Mercedes and a Director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, has urged Formula 1 authorities to address ongoing concerns about inconsistent race stewarding by employing full-time, paid stewards. His comments come as F1 gears up for the Brazil Grand Prix, where recent tensions between Max Verstappen and the FIA over penalties have cast a shadow over the event.
Verstappen’s recent penalization in the Mexico Grand Prix, where he was hit with two separate time penalties, has reignited long-standing debates about inconsistency in stewarding decisions. The penalties were issued after officials deemed Verstappen forced Lando Norris wide at Turn 4 and later gained an unfair advantage by going off the track at Turn 7. These judgments, which penalized Verstappen for track limits and car positioning, have led to frustration among drivers and fans alike, who feel that stewarding decisions often vary widely from race to race.
Russell argued that employing full-time stewards would bring consistency and professionalism to the decision-making process in F1, allowing for a clearer, more standardized interpretation of race rules across different events. Currently, F1 relies on a rotating team of stewards, often volunteers, who are not compensated in the way that full-time officials would be. Russell emphasized that while he believes the current stewards are skilled and capable, the volunteer-based system creates variability that can be minimized by having a dedicated team working on a permanent basis.
“I think we’re at a point in this sport where we need full-time professional stewards who earn a real salary,” Russell said, explaining that paid, professional stewards could provide much-needed clarity and reduce the inconsistent rulings that frustrate drivers. He acknowledged that while the current pool of stewards is qualified, a more consistent presence would help alleviate issues related to interpretation and consistency in penalties.
While Russell has advocated for changes in the stewarding process, he clarified that he doesn’t believe the fundamental rules of F1 need overhauling. Rather, he calls for a system that promotes better understanding among drivers regarding the boundaries of conduct on the track and the likely consequences of any infractions.
The call for professionalizing F1 stewarding has sparked debate within the sport, as stakeholders weigh the potential benefits of such a shift. As the F1 community gathers in Brazil, all eyes will be on whether this incident will prompt a reevaluation of how the sport enforces its rules.
