Verstappen supports idea of permanent stewards in F1
Max Verstappen would give his backing to a permanent set of FIA stewards at Formula 1 events in the wake of the controversy surrounding his penalty at the United States Grand Prix last month.
Verstappen was hit with a five-second time penalty after being adjudged to have exceeded track limits when passing Kimi Raikkonen for P3 on the final lap of the race, reigniting the debate about stewarding after the Dutchman expressed his concern of being targeted by one steward, Garry Connelly.
Max Verstappen would give his backing to a permanent set of FIA stewards at Formula 1 events in the wake of the controversy surrounding his penalty at the United States Grand Prix last month.
Verstappen was hit with a five-second time penalty after being adjudged to have exceeded track limits when passing Kimi Raikkonen for P3 on the final lap of the race, reigniting the debate about stewarding after the Dutchman expressed his concern of being targeted by one steward, Garry Connelly.
The members of the FIA steward panel currently change race-by-race in F1, but suggestions have been made to introduce a permanent roster of stewards for greater consistency in their decision-making.
"I think at the end of the day, yes, it would be better,” Verstappen told NBC Sports.
“At least then, [with] the stewards, you know who you’re working with. They start to understand the driver a bit better because you share more times together, more races together.
“I honestly think we have to head into that direction.”
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda both condemned the stewards' call in Mexico, stressing the matter would be discussed heavily at the upcoming Strategy Group meeting ahead of possible changes in the future.
