FIA Axes F1 Steward After Controversial Verstappen Penalty Comments Ahead of Canadian GP
Derek Warwick, a steward for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, was suspended for the remainder of the weekend after making controversial comments regarding Max Verstappen’s penalty. The FIA announced on Friday that Warwick’s suspension would be in effect immediately, with former F1 driver Enrique Bernoldi stepping in as his replacement. Bernoldi will officiate remotely from the FIA’s operations center in Geneva.
Stewards in Formula 1 play a crucial role in ensuring the race is conducted fairly and in line with the regulations. Although the panel of stewards rotates each race weekend, they hold significant authority in determining penalties for infractions during a race. The race control team typically alerts the stewards when an incident occurs, and it is the responsibility of the race director to forward these incidents for further review. Based on the evidence and the specific rules in place, the stewards make the final call on penalties.
This particular incident highlights the power and responsibility of F1 stewards, whose decisions are independent of the FIA. While the regulations provide a framework for penalties, the stewards ultimately interpret these guidelines based on the circumstances and the evidence available. The FIA’s official statement emphasized that the decisions made by stewards are “solely based on the relevant regulations, guidelines, and evidence presented” and remain unaffected by external influences.
This suspension underscores the level of scrutiny faced by race officials, particularly in a high-profile event like the Canadian Grand Prix, and the importance of maintaining impartiality in their decision-making processes.
