DECEMBER 13, 2024

Unpaid, inconsistent F1 stewards not fair says Steiner

Gunther Steiner says the stewarding situation in Formula 1 is his biggest gripe about the sport at the moment.

Inconsistency in stewards decisions, particularly when it comes to penalties, became a hot topic in 2024 - even attracting the criticism of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.

Steiner, the former Haas team boss, fully agrees.

When asked by Ouest-France newspaper to reveal what he would change about F1 today, he answered: "I would like the stewards to be permanent employees, so we have consistency in the penalties that are issued.

Formula 1 is one of the biggest sports in the world, Steiner added, "so I don't think it's fair that they are not full-time employees. Football referees are full-time, and they're paid for it.

Responsibility must be rewarded, he said.

According to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, however, the Paris-based federation simply does not have the money to train, develop and then pay permanent race stewards.

I understand the interest in having professional stewards, he said, but we don't have the money for that.

(GMM)