While rules provide a framework, their interpretation and enforcement inevitably introduce subjectivity. This reality keeps the quality of officiating in Formula 1 a recurring topic, often debated, whether accurately or not.

Some have linked Derek warwick’s suspension from his stewarding role at the Canadian Grand Prix to the lengthy five-and-a-half-hour wait for the race result to be confirmed. However, this connection may confuse correlation with causation.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes” width=”1200″ height=”800″ loading=”lazy”/>

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

Enrique Bernoldi participated in the stewards’ panel via video link from the FIA’s remote operations center in Geneva. While not ideal, the process reportedly functioned adequately. The primary cause of the delay, aside from Red Bull’s delayed protests against George Russell, was the stewards’ need to investigate both the McLaren drivers’ collision that triggered the late-race safety car and several full-course yellow infringements already flagged by race control.

These are two distinct issues, with one being easier to resolve than the other.

Warwick, a respected figure in motorsport, a Le mans winner, former grand prix driver, and past president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, was suspended from the Canadian stewarding panel due to an interview he gave to a gambling website. In this interview, he commented on various F1 matters, including the incident between Russell and Max Verstappen at the Spanish grand Prix.

In January, Johnny Herbert was removed from the stewarding roster entirely. The FIA stated that his “duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible.”

The Intricacies of Safety Car Procedures

On-car camera footage can be misleading, possibly reinforcing preconceived notions. For instance, Mercedes could have used data to demonstrate that Russell adhered to the safety car delta, maintaining normal braking and acceleration patterns during the neutralization.

It was the safety car which was accelerating and decelerating erratically

The safety car itself was accelerating and decelerating erratically. This behavior,while visible in the footage,required confirmation to avoid bias.

Ironically, Tim Malyon, the FIA’s sporting director, clarified that the alleged ‘brake test’ and failure to maintain a ten-car-length distance from the safety car would not have been referred to the stewards by race control. They had real-time data supporting Mercedes’ claims.

A potential improvement: reduce unnecessary demands on the stewards’ time.