JUST IN :Jos Verstappen escalates FIA row as he calls for… Read more
Jos Verstappen escalates FIA row as he calls for MAJOR departures
Jos Verstappen, the father of reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, has taken his ongoing dispute with the FIA to a new level, calling for significant changes within the governing body. Verstappen Sr. has been vocal throughout the 2024 season about the inconsistency in stewarding decisions, particularly highlighting the 20-second penalty Max received during the Mexican Grand Prix. His criticisms have intensified in recent weeks, with Verstappen Sr. now calling for the dismissal of certain FIA stewards, accusing them of having conflicts of interest and showing preferential treatment towards rival teams and drivers.
The controversy began after Max Verstappen was penalized during the Mexican race, a decision that Jos Verstappen believes was unfair and symptomatic of broader issues within the FIA’s handling of race penalties. According to Jos, some stewards appear to display a bias that affects their judgment, potentially swaying the outcome of races. Verstappen Sr. suggested that these stewards may be too sympathetic towards rival teams, casting doubt on the fairness of certain race outcomes. He also raised concerns about the FIA’s practice of having stewards speak to the media, implying that this could lead to conflicts of interest, particularly pointing out former F1 driver Johnny Herbert, who now works as an FIA steward.
In response to these issues, Jos Verstappen has been pressing F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali for reform, emphasizing the need for consistency in race penalties. He made it clear that the punishment for similar offenses should be uniform, criticizing the FIA for handing out different penalties for the same type of incident. Verstappen Sr. pointed to the example of Max receiving varying penalties for the same offense in different races, including a five-second penalty in one case and a ten-second penalty for a similar violation in another. Additionally, Verstappen Sr. criticized the FIA’s handling of Max’s reprimands for foul language, with some being met with a community service order and others with a fine. He expressed frustration with what he sees as inconsistency in the stewarding process, suggesting that the stewards are unsure of how to apply the rules effectively.
Beyond these specific complaints, Verstappen Sr. has called for broader structural changes within the FIA’s stewarding system. He proposed the establishment of a permanent group of stewards, rather than relying on a rotating cast of individuals, some of whom are former F1 drivers. He argued that former drivers might have inherent biases due to their past involvement in the sport and personal stakes in certain outcomes. Instead, he suggested that stewards should be individuals who are more detached from the sport’s direct competition but still possess a deep understanding of what F1 entails. This would, according to Jos Verstappen, help ensure that penalties are issued impartially and in a way that better reflects the principles of fairness and consistency.
These comments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing row between Jos Verstappen and the FIA, with the Verstappen family continuing to voice their concerns over what they see as flawed stewarding decisions in Formula 1. The debate about the role of stewards, their independence, and the consistency of race penalties is likely to continue to stir discussions within the F1 community, as calls for reform grow
louder.
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