Jos Verstappen escalates FIA row as he calls for MAJOR

Jos Verstappen escalates FIA row as he calls for MAJOR departure……read more

Jos Verstappen has significantly intensified his ongoing dispute with the FIA, publicly calling for major changes within the organization, particularly targeting the role of stewards in Formula 1. The father of four-time world champion Max Verstappen has been outspoken about the perceived inconsistencies in the stewarding of the 2024 season, especially in relation to a 20-second penalty handed to Max during the Mexican Grand Prix. Jos Verstappen’s criticisms have now expanded, with demands for the dismissal of certain FIA stewards and a complete overhaul of how stewarding decisions are made.

Verstappen Sr. has repeatedly argued that some stewards appear to have conflicts of interest, suggesting that they are more lenient towards certain teams and drivers. This was especially apparent during Max’s penalty in Mexico, which Jos Verstappen believes was unfairly imposed, highlighting what he sees as bias within the stewarding team. He expressed his frustration over the lack of consistency in the penalties given to different drivers for similar offenses. The Verstappen family has also been vocal about their belief that FIA stewards should not engage with the media, which seems to be a pointed critique of former F1 driver-turned-steward, Johnny Herbert, who has often been involved in public commentary.

Taking his grievances further, Jos Verstappen has now escalated his dispute by directly appealing to Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, urging him to take action in addressing what he perceives as a flawed stewarding system. Verstappen Sr. emphasized the need for consistent punishment across the board for similar infractions. He pointed out the irregularity of receiving a five-second penalty one time and a ten-second penalty for the same offense on another occasion. Furthermore, he questioned the FIA’s approach to handling minor infractions, such as when Max Verstappen was handed a community service order for using inappropriate language, while other drivers received fines for similar behavior. Verstappen believes that the inconsistency in these rulings shows that the stewards are increasingly unsure of how to deal with situations.

In light of these concerns, Verstappen Sr. is advocating for a more structured and professional approach to stewarding. One of his key proposals is the establishment of a permanent pool of stewards to ensure consistency and a more predictable decision-making process. He believes that rotating stewards, many of whom are former F1 drivers, creates a situation where the decisions made are inconsistent and influenced by personal biases or interests. He suggested that the FIA should appoint individuals who have more distance from the sport, thus minimizing potential conflicts of interest while maintaining a strong understanding of the sport’s nuances.

Verstappen Sr. went on to argue that former F1 drivers should no longer be part of the stewarding system, suggesting that they often have too many personal connections to the teams and drivers. Instead, he believes that the FIA should look to recruit stewards who can make impartial decisions, ensuring that penalties and rulings are based solely on the facts of the incident rather than any outside factors. He emphasized the need for stewards to be properly trained and compensated, pointing out that many current stewards are paid only modestly for their work and may take on stewarding roles for financial reasons. Verstappen believes this undermines the professionalism and integrity of the process.

Drawing a comparison to other sports, Verstappen highlighted the example of FIFA, which employs full-time, professional referees who receive regular training and are paid well for their work. He argued that Formula 1 could greatly benefit from a similar approach, where stewards are more regularly trained and better compensated. This, according to Verstappen, would improve the overall quality of decision-making and help restore confidence in the fairness of F1’s penalty system.

The call for reform comes at a time when there is increasing scrutiny of the FIA’s handling of stewarding and penalties in F1. Verstappen Sr.’s comments reflect widespread frustration among some fans and teams who believe that inconsistency in officiating is negatively affecting the sport. His suggestion of creating a permanent team of impartial stewards is part of a larger push for greater professionalism and transparency in the FIA’s decision-making processes. By focusing on eliminating conflicts of interest and ensuring that stewards are better prepared for their roles, Verstappen believes that the FIA can restore integrity and fairness to Formula 1’s governance.