Mercedes driver George Russell has voiced a strong opinion about the ongoing issues surrounding Formula 1’s officiating, particularly in light of the recent penalties imposed on Max Verstappen at the Mexico Grand Prix. As the sport gears up for the Brazil Grand Prix, Russell is urging F1 officials to consider hiring full-time stewards to bring more consistency and clarity to race officiating.
The conflict arose when Verstappen received two ten-second penalties for incidents during the race. He was penalized for allegedly forcing Lando Norris off the track at Turn 4 and for gaining an advantage by leaving the track at Turn 7. These penalties have reignited discussions about the inconsistent nature of race regulations, as similar actions have sometimes gone unpunished in the past.
Russell, who has been serving as the Director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association since 2021, believes that establishing a team of professional, full-time stewards could enhance the decision-making process in races. “We need a professional steward who is dedicated to this role, receiving a proper salary,” he stated, emphasizing that the current stewards, while competent, could benefit from a more structured system of governance.
He clarified that he isn’t advocating for sweeping changes to the rules themselves, but rather for a more precise framework that would help drivers understand the consequences of their actions during races. According to Russell, clearer guidelines would help prevent the kind of confusion and debate that often follows controversial decisions.
Historically, the topic of stewarding in F1 has been a contentious one, highlighted by the tumultuous 2021 season, particularly during the climactic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In response to