Haas boss Guenther Steiner has voiced his frustration regarding the penalty imposed on Nico Hulkenberg for a first-lap collision during the Monaco Grand Prix.
Steiner criticised the decision, claiming that Hulkenberg was unfairly sanctioned, especially when other drivers had escaped punishment for more severe incidents.
Expressing his displeasure, Steiner stated: “On lap one, we received a penalty for what I consider a non-collision. Other drivers collided during the race, and they received warnings with black and white flags. The inconsistency is evident. In Miami, during lap one, the collision between Nyck de Vries and Lando Norris was not penalised.”
Steiner further argued that the lack of consistency in the decisions made by race officials necessitates the involvement of professionals stewards in the sport going forward.
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He proposed that Formula 1, being one of the world’s biggest sports, should employ professional stewards full-time to ensure fairness, given the significant investments made by drivers in their careers.
“I believe that every professional sport employs professionals as referees and in similar roles,” Steiner emphasised.
“In Formula 1, we still have laymen making decisions that impact the careers of individuals who have invested millions. The lack of consistency always leads to these discussions. It is time to step up and address this long-standing issue.”
Steiner’s comments did not sit well with the FIA, summoning him to meet with the stewards ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
The FIA stated that allegations had been made against Steiner, suggesting that he violated three regulations outlined in the FIA’s International Sporting Code.
Additionally, Steiner’s remarks were accused of causing injury or loss to the FIA and its associated bodies, as well as exhibiting misconduct towards various individuals involved in the sport.
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This is not the first time Steiner has been called upon by the FIA due to his outspoken remarks.
After the 2019 Russian Grand Prix, he was fined for an outburst over team radio, where he referred to a steward as a “stupid idiot” for penalising Kevin Magnussen for violating track limits.
To ensure impartiality during the hearing in Spain, the FIA has temporarily replaced one of the stewards, Felix Holter, as he was also on duty during the Monaco Grand Prix.