FIA Suspends Derek Warwick from Steward Duties Ahead of Canadian GP
On the eve of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA has suspended Derek Warwick from his role as driver steward. The decision follows Warwick’s unauthorized comments regarding Max Verstappen’s recent penalty after the Spanish Grand Prix. Warwick, a veteran of 146 Grand Prix starts, was relieved of his duties on Friday and will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, who will officiate from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva.
The suspension stems from Warwick’s interview, in which he publicly addressed Verstappen’s clash with George Russell, leading to a 10-second penalty and three penalty points. Warwick stated, “Should he have done what he did with George Russell in Turn 5? Absolutely not. Did he get a penalty for it? Yes.” He further expressed that although he believed the penalty was appropriate, he acknowledged the potential for it to escalate.
Critically, the FIA’s decision was informed by two main issues: Warwick’s public critique of the judgment made by other FIA stewards and the nature of the interview’s publication, which was managed by a PR agency rather than a traditional media outlet. This business model has raised concerns about conflicts of interest in steward evaluations.
In an acknowledgment of his misstep, Warwick has apologized for his comments, which he deemed “ill-advised” in his capacity as an FIA steward. He is slated to return for duties at the Austrian Grand Prix, having been a steward for 15 years, including at multiple upcoming races in the 2023 season.
The FIA’s swift action signifies a commitment to maintaining the integrity of steward evaluations and managing public commentary by officials.
