Formula 1 race director Michael Masi thinks that the current stewards system works well so far and is preferable to a system with permanent stewards, as has been repeatedly requested in the past by different parties is.
“There would be a consistency there. Because the stewards know exactly. Last time we decided this on the case and we will do it again now.” Massi said.
“But such a system would also be dangerous, because according to Surer, there is no way of preventing someone from being a little in favor of Mercedes or a little in favor of Verstappen, and with permanent stewrds. It would work out year drag. So it just goes through a race.” Massi added.
The stewarding process has been in the spotlight in Formula 1 in recent weeks, with length decision-making processes urrounding Lewis Hamilton’s exclusion from Sao Paulo qualifying results as well as grid penalties for Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas in Qatar.
“When the question of changing vs. permanent commissioners was officially discussed last, that was exactly the convincing argument why Formula 1 decided against permanent stewards. When possible sympathies or antipathies were named as a risk, there was a lot of nodding in the room,” Massis said.
“The system that we now have, with a pool of stewards and a pool of driver stewards, that basically works.” Massi added.
Massi also emphasised that all stewards exchange ideas at regular meetings in order to ensure the highest possible consistency in decisions.
“But we also have to realise that for the first time in a long time we are in a real world championship fight between two amazing drivers, between two fantastic teams. And there will never be a referee who is popular,” Massi said.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a referee or another role: that’s our role. And from our point of view there will always be small differences. But ultimately the stewards are there to make those decisions,” he added.
