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Jos Verstappen escalates FIA row as he calls for MAJOR departures
Jos Verstappen has intensified his ongoing dispute with the FIA, calling for the dismissal of certain stewards within the organization. The father of Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with what he perceives as inconsistent officiating throughout the 2024 Formula 1 season. His frustration reached a peak following the Mexican Grand Prix, where Max was handed a 20-second time penalty, a decision that has sparked significant controversy.
Verstappen Sr. has specifically criticized the FIA’s decision-making process, claiming that some stewards have shown a “conflict of interest” when issuing penalties. He further alleged that these officials demonstrated favoritism toward rival drivers and teams, suggesting that the punishment was unfair and not consistent with the rules applied to others. Jos Verstappen’s comments have fueled an ongoing debate about the transparency and fairness of stewarding in F1, which has come under scrutiny in recent years.
A major point of contention for Verstappen Sr. has been the perceived lack of consistency in the enforcement of penalties across different races. He believes that the stewards must apply the rules equally to all competitors, without exceptions or biases. Verstappen emphasized that fairness is essential for the sport’s integrity, stressing that the FIA must ensure that every driver is treated the same under the rulebook.
In addition to calling for firings, Verstappen Sr. also took aim at FIA stewards’ interactions with the media. His comments appeared to be a veiled critique of Johnny Herbert, a former F1 driver who now works as a steward. Verstappen Sr. argued that stewards should not be making public statements about their decisions, as he feels it can create confusion and lead to further controversy.
The Dutchman has not kept his frustrations limited to the FIA alone. He has also made efforts to address the issue with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, urging him to take action and address the inconsistency in stewarding. Verstappen pointed out that it’s crucial for the sport’s credibility to ensure that punishments are handed out consistently and fairly across all teams and drivers, without any biases influencing the decisions.
Verstappen’s escalating criticism of the FIA has added fuel to the ongoing discussions about how race officials manage the sport, and whether changes are needed to restore confidence in the fairness of F1’s decision-making processes. His calls for greater accountability and consistency are likely to be a significant topic of debate as the 2024 season progresses.
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