George Russell wants to professionalize the race stewards in Formula 1 and has made it clear. It turns out that the British Mercedes driver wants to put in place a professionalization of race marshals following the events in Austin and Mexico. Russell called on the FIA to hire full-time professional race stewards in a bid to improve “consistency” and help drivers “interpret the guidelines”. As a reminder, several “incidents” took place between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris during the last Grands Prix in preparation for the title race.
First, on the Austin side, Lando Norris was penalized five seconds for overtaking Verstappen off the track. And last weekend in Mexico, on the same lap, Verstappen first forced the Briton to cut turn 5, then two turns later, the three-time reigning world champion took the McLaren off the track . The Dutchman was penalized twice ten seconds. Both drivers had contested the penalties on each occasion and as a result, the FIA has reviewed the driving guidelines and will present its changes next month to the drivers on the Qatari side. But George Russell therefore wants the FIA to professionalize the race stewards.
Russell calls for professionalization of race stewards
Believing that the regulations do not need to be completely revised, Russell, who is the director of the GPDA, the Grand Prix drivers' association, took the floor to discuss his idea.
“From a personal point of view, and not a collective one, I don't think it [le règlement] needs to be modified. It just needs some adjustments or a little addition. Everything is quite clear. Guidelines need to be in place, but remember that they are guidelines. There are no written regulations and it is up to the commissioners to judge as best they can. When it comes to interpretation and consistency, we can say that if we have the same marshals week after week, the consistency will be better because they interpret things the same way and the drivers understand exactly what they expect in a given circumstance. So I feel, again on a personal level, not on behalf of the drivers, but on a personal level, that we've gotten to a point in this sport where we need full-time professional stewards, who earn a real salary”, confided the Briton in comments transcribed by Motorsport.com.
It remains to be seen whether he will be heard or not…
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To summarize
George Russell wants to professionalize the race stewards in Formula 1 and has made it clear. It turns out that the British Mercedes driver wants to put in place a professionalization of the race marshals following the events in Austin and Mexico.
