(from autosport) Leading Formula One drivers have joined calls for a change to the stewards system following the controversial penalties handed out at the Japanese Grand Prix. And several drivers have shown support for the the idea of using former racers to help with stewarding. "Personally there are some times when I believe the penalties are unfair," Toyota driver Jarno Trulli told autosport.com in China. "I always say that we should try to get a driver, a professional driver, inside the stewards because they have no idea about racing. "This is the truth. They can imagine somehow, but they have no idea in the end. A driver can give them a much better picture of the situation. "A driver view will certainly improve the situation and will probably be more consistent. I am not saying it will be right, in this world you will always find people who will agree and people who will not agree, whatever. "Even if you do the right thing you will split thing in two, but I think a driver will provide a better picture and a more consistent judgement." Red Bull's Mark Webber admitted he was shocked by the penalty given to Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais at Fuji. "I think it was a surprise how many drive-throughs were dished out, EVEN FELIPE'S, so that day they just liked dishing them out. Which was a bit odd," Webber said. "It (Bourdais' penalty) is a real shock for everyone. We are on the racing track and racing around Turn 1. The trajectory is different which is what made the speed difference so high. "Bourdais had gone around the corner the best he can given the compromise line he has had going into there, as you do in Singapore, it is tight on the way in, as it is in Melbourne. You are pinched onto the apex and the guys are coming from a higher line so will have a different trajectory and speed." Honda's Jenson Button also believes an experienced driver would be a big help for he stewards. "We need someone with experience," he said. "I think the stewards do a good job, but having an experienced driver on board would help, but not one from 15 to 20 years ago because so much has changed. "We need someone who has been involved in the sport and knows about this problem of going off the circuit and coming back on." Fernando Alonso added: "I think it's a good idea to have an ex-driver to help them because sometimes the decisions they make, it's difficult to know from the outside if you have never driven a Formula One car. "What would help for the drivers would be a consistency in the penalties - if one time you do something and you get penalised, it is not possible that the next time you do the same thing you get no penalty. "We ask for a little bit more consistency with the penalties even if they are very harsh or not."
Oh hello someone other than LH gets a penality and there whining, hasn't it sunk in yet it was a blatant fine on Bourdais to move Massa up the grid, pathetic.
Haven't the drivers been calling for permanent stewards for some years now? Another group that Bernie isn't listening to.
Everyone is wise to his screw ups. Once you stand out to the Drivers and Track Marshals, then you are under the microscope. He has only himself to blame.
You have to look a little closer at the video Steve. Also F1 should have racers as permenant marshals but Mosley and his husband Bernie wont allow it because they wont be able to manipulate them like the nazi stewards they have now. BTW...wheres Ted and my check?
More objective and consistent decisions by stewards would be welcome. How would this new structure be acheived?
For Webber to say Massas penalty was questionable just blows his whole argument away, IMO. The Bourdais penalty was an absolute farce... but when he wants to drag Massas into the same category, it causes his credibility to evaporate, especially on the heels of him squeezing Massa hard on the straight and sending him into the pit lane exit area.
If they want Professional Stewarts they should contact the SCCA. These people work countless races each year in all classes of cars. They spend years honing their skills and are only volunteers. They are able to work as a seamless team. Each person takes their job seriously and are crossed trained in the different aspects of the race environment. Its not just standing in a corner, they are trained observers and see more than the average person can hope to see.
They should hire Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill, they know a bit about crashing into one another, and no one can call favortism from either camp.
Who do you think are the Stewarts at the Canadian GP, 24hrs Daytona, 12 Hrs Sebring , Le Mans and countless ALMS races?
I understand and I am thankful for all work done by the volunteers that make racing possible. The safety crews and corner workers are uniformly excellent. With the stewards it is the need for consistency in their decisions, race to race, that argues for a professional staff. A mix of locals, familiar with the particular track, and professionals might be a good idea. No offence intended.
Right on the money! The problem is the SCCA falls outside the jurisdiction of the FIA, and the FIA (read: Max) wants control over the inner workings of F1. So, while SCCA stewards would be unbiased and knowledeable, they would also likely be fair, unbiased and incorruptible, which is why Mosley will never let it happen.
The stewards are required to hold a FIA super license. 3 nominated by the FIA (one non voting chairman) 1 nominated by the ASN
If it is only 3 or 4 positions the FIA should make it a full time position and pay them, for sure there is enough dead wood hanging around the FIA that do nothing , that 4 more positions will not make Bernies pig bank squeal too loud!
So if you were on trial, how would you feel about 3 of 4 jurors being chosen by the prosecution? Don't worry - the public gets to choose the fourth one!
Hamilton ran one of the dumbest races of his career in Japan. The stewards should recognize this and keep their noses out. When someone goes head long into risking the world championship and succeeds is blowing his chances, that should be penalty enough. The same goes for Massa's pass of Bourdais. I agree drivers should be stewards. But, stewards in general have way too much influence in how the race is run or scored. Here's some tips to get F-1 back on track: 1) LET THE FREAKING RACERS RACE. 2) KEEP THE FREAKING POLITICS OUT. 3) IF YOU DO SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS, IMMORAL (cheating or intentionally punting someone off), ILLEGAL (ignoring or violating the rules)-- GET A PENALTY. 4) IF THE TEAM SCREWS UP A PITSTOP -- FINE THE TEAM OR TAKE MANUFACTURERS POINTS AWAY, BUT NOT THE DRIVER IF ITS NOT HIS FAULT. But, I guess that's just way too simple for F-1.....
