‘They think we're against the British’ - FIA president wades into F1 stewards debate

The focal point of the recent controversy emerged from the FIA Formula 3 support race at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. During the opening lap, Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen suffered a heavy crash, prompting the deployment of yellow flags. In the aftermath, two prominent young drivers, Franco Colapinto, representing MP Motorsport and part of the Alpine Academy, and Arvid Lindblad, driving for Prema Racing under the Red Bull Junior Team banner, were each handed drive-through penalties. Their infraction: overtaking another competitor under yellow flag conditions, a clear breach of safety regulations designed to protect marshals and drivers on track during incidents.

For both Colapinto, an Argentinian driver, and Lindblad, who hails from Britain, the penalties were substantial. A drive-through penalty mandates a driver to enter the pit lane, drive through it at the speed limit, and rejoin the track without stopping, typically costing between 20-30 seconds of race time. In the tightly contested world of Formula 3, such a penalty can devastate a driver’s race, often relegating them to the back of the field or out of points contention entirely. Both drivers vociferously disagreed with the stewards’ decisions, articulating their frustration post-race. Colapinto, a promising talent who has garnered significant national support, saw his race hopes dashed, a development that resonated deeply with his fanbase, particularly in Argentina. Lindblad, another highly-rated prospect in his rookie F3 season, also expressed his disappointment, highlighting the fine margins and subjective interpretations often at play in such incidents.

The backlash was swift and severe. Fans, especially those following Colapinto from Argentina, flooded social media with criticism, questioning the consistency and fairness of the officiating. The situation escalated dramatically when an executive from one of Colapinto’s primary sponsors took to social media, explicitly challenging the integrity of the FIA stewards. While the post was subsequently deleted, its sentiment had already reverberated across the motorsport community, forcing the FIA to issue a stern response. The governing body confirmed it was actively investigating its legal options to address the "abuse directed at the race stewards," underscoring the severity with which it views threats and unfounded accusations against its officials. This move highlights a broader, ongoing effort by the FIA to combat the escalating issue of online harassment within motorsport.

Amidst this furore, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem addressed the controversy during a media session at the FIA American Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina – a fitting location given the intensity of the reaction from Colapinto’s home country. He was directly questioned about the possibility of appointing more South American stewards to officiate at Formula 1 races, a suggestion perhaps aimed at diversifying the pool of officials and potentially mitigating perceived biases.

Related News :

Ben Sulayem’s response acknowledged the need for impartiality and continuous improvement within the stewarding system. "To us, it’s about all the drivers," he stated, reaffirming the FIA’s commitment to equitable treatment. He elaborated on the ongoing initiatives: "But I do agree with you. We are now having training. We even called for a training course. So, we asked the ASNs [FIA Member Clubs] to send us names that we can train because we are going to rotate the stewards." This initiative to train and rotate stewards is a cornerstone of Ben Sulayem’s presidency, aiming to enhance the expertise, consistency, and global representation of officials across all FIA-sanctioned championships. The rotation system is designed to prevent familiarity bias and ensure a fresh perspective at each event, drawing from a wider pool of talent from various national sporting authorities (ASNs).

Significantly, Ben Sulayem revealed that concerns over steward decisions are not geographically isolated to Argentina. He disclosed that he receives similar complaints from other regions, including Britain, which he pointed out in his direct quote. "I will look into it, because I have also heard other people saying that they are against other people. I get the same thing," he added, directly addressing the underlying perception of bias. "They think that the FIA is against the British, but we are not against them. But, you know, sometimes it’s good to ask the stewards and always go to them and say: always be fair. You can be tough, but you have to be fair. Fairness is the mission of the FIA. But we will look into that and see. And I will speak to him [Colapinto]. I will call Franco myself. I will hear what he has to say.” This commitment to personally engage with Colapinto underscores the gravity of the situation and Ben Sulayem’s hands-on approach to leadership. The FIA’s "Fairness is the mission" mantra is a guiding principle, particularly under Ben Sulayem, who has consistently emphasized integrity and transparency since taking office.

The broader discussion in Buenos Aires also delved into the escalating problem of online abuse. The FIA had previously condemned the online harassment directed at F1 stewards in the wake of the Dutch Grand Prix, particularly concerning Colapinto’s penalty. Ben Sulayem was unequivocal in his opposition to such behaviour, stressing that tackling online abuse requires a collective effort across the entire motorsport community. "The abuse is happening to the drivers, to the journalists, to the officials, to many of us," he explained, painting a grim picture of the pervasive issue. He recounted a specific incident from two years prior: "And two years ago, two and a half years ago, I said, if I don’t do something about it, our sport will be beyond repair. It’s over. Because I remember in Miami, two years ago, we had an issue. One of our stewards, she was a lady from Spain. She was threatened to kill her, kill her family. So, then we started this unity against online abuse. Governments, federations, media, together. And now the momentum is going on. The teams are with it. This is a marathon. I cannot do it alone. The FIA cannot do it alone. It’s a combined effort."

This "unity against online abuse" campaign, initiated under Ben Sulayem’s leadership, seeks to create a safer digital environment for all participants in motorsport. It involves collaborations with social media platforms, law enforcement, and other sporting bodies to identify, report, and prosecute individuals responsible for malicious online content. The FIA president also highlighted a recent study indicating the geographical distribution of online abuse, noting that "Seventy percent of the abuse was coming from the two Americas (North and South). And then the rest is actually from Europe, maybe 18% or something. So, the rest of the world is only 12% or 10%. And all sports, not only motorsport." These statistics underscore the global and cross-sport nature of the problem, positioning the FIA’s efforts as part of a larger fight against digital toxicity.

The stewarding debate is not new to Formula 1. Throughout its history, and particularly in recent years, decisions made by race stewards have frequently been scrutinised, often leading to public outcry. Incidents like the controversial conclusion of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, or various penalty decisions in subsequent seasons, have fueled a perception of inconsistency or, at worst, bias. The FIA’s rotating steward system, implemented to bring fresh perspectives and reduce potential conflicts of interest, sometimes faces challenges in maintaining consistent application of complex regulations across different race weekends and different panels of officials.

Looking ahead, the FIA’s commitment to enhancing steward training and promoting diversity in officiating roles is a long-term project. The outcomes of Ben Sulayem’s direct engagement with Franco Colapinto, and the ongoing efforts to combat online abuse, will be closely watched by the motorsport world. As the Formula 1 season progresses and other FIA championships continue, the spotlight on stewarding decisions and the conduct of fans and participants alike is set to remain intense. The FIA’s actions in this regard will be crucial in upholding the integrity and reputation of global motorsport.

💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook

Author Profile

Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

Latest entries

F1September 2, 2026‘They think we’re against the British’ – FIA president wades into F1 stewards debate
F1September 2, 2026Schumacher Etches Name Deeper into F1 Lore, Surpassing Prost’s Victory Benchmark at Chaotic Spa
F1September 2, 2026McLaren Set to Debut Innovative H-Wing Rear Aerodynamic Solution at Italian Grand Prix
F1September 1, 2026Pirelli unveils unique trophies for 2026 Italian Grand Prix

Or check our Popular Categories...

Or check our Popular Categories...