Former F1 Driver Derek Warwick Suspended as FIA Steward for Canadian GP

Former grand prix driver Derek Warwick has been suspended from his role as a steward at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. The FIA, the governing body of motorsport, stated that the decision was made "following recent unauthorised media comments" by Warwick.

Warwick, who raced in Formula 1 from 1981 to 1992, is a respected figure in the sport, having won the Le Mans 24 Hours and served as president of the British Racing Drivers' Club. He is also one of the most senior driver stewards in F1, a role that requires impartiality and discretion.

The FIA's Decision and Replacement

The FIA announced that Warwick would be replaced by Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, who will officiate from the remote operations centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event. The FIA added, "After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised." Warwick is expected to resume his duties at the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.

Controversial Comments on Verstappen Penalty

Last week, Warwick was quoted commenting on a penalty given to Red Bull's Max Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen was penalized after an incident where he appeared to deliberately collide with Mercedes' George Russell. Warwick stated, "Should he have done what he did, in Turn Five with George Russell? Absolutely not. Did he get a penalty for that? Yes." He further elaborated, "It seems to me that, although he dove in, he then did turn away from George, but momentum pushed him against George. It is absolutely wrong and the FIA was right to give him a penalty."

FIA's Stance on Steward Independence

This incident highlights the FIA's strict policy on steward independence. The FIA refuses to comment on how stewards arrive at decisions during a grand prix, stating that stewards are "independent from the FIA." Warwick's suspension comes just a day after the FIA's general assembly passed controversial statute changes. Critics argue these changes "risk further contributing to the erosion of the FIA's reputation for competent and transparent governance" under president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Broader Implications for F1 Governance

Warwick is the second driver steward to be penalized by the FIA for commenting on races in the past six months. In January, Johnny Herbert was dropped by the FIA, which cited his "duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible." These incidents raise questions about the balance between transparency and independence in F1 governance.

As the Canadian Grand Prix approaches, the suspension of Warwick underscores the challenges faced by the FIA in maintaining both the integrity of the sport and the trust of its stakeholders.