Max Verstappen has backed the call for permanent stewards to be introduced in Formula 1, believing the collaboration they and drivers could form would improve the standard of racing.
The issue of stewarding has been back in the spotlight in recent weeks following the Red Bull driver’s controversial post-race penalty in Austin when he was given a five-second penalty for cutting the corner during a last lap move on Kimi Raikkonen.
A week later in Mexico, and with different stewards in race control, the Dutchman was again involved in an investigation for impeding Valtteri Bottas but would not be punished, perhaps highlighting the inconsistency race-to-race.
Other drivers have had complaints too, with Romain Grosjean dismayed at a track limits penalty, another hot topic after Austin, awarded after he ran wide while battling Fernando Alonso but Sebastian Vettel wasn’t even investigated for passing Felipe Massa despite running all four wheels off at Turn 4.
“I think at the end of the day, yes, it would be better,” Verstappen told NBC Sports when asked if he wanted the FIA to keep the same stewarding line-up.
“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.”
Currently the only permanent member of the stewarding panel is Race Director Charlie Whiting while, several years ago, an ex-driver was added to try and add a different perspective to incidents that happen on track.
