Formula One news

Jackie Stewart questions race stewards consistency

Former Formula 1 driver Sir Jackie Stewart puts questions marks at the decision of the stewards to penalize Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Scotsman wonders why there is a total lack of consistency in the decisions of the race stewards at the various races.

Speaking with The Guardian Sir Jackie Stewart said: "I am bound to ask where is the differentiation between the decisions of the stewards at the European grand prix at Valencia who deemed that Massa should not receive a drive-through penalty for pulling out alongside another car when resuming after a refueling stop, and Bruno Senna, who received a drive-through penalty after doing the same in the GP2 race in Belgium which had the effect of dropping him from first to 12th place. So Senna was given a much harsher penalty by a different group of stewards. There is just not enough consistency in these decisions.

"If you sit down and watch the US Open tennis, top-division football or rugby the jobs of umpire or referee are carried out by good people who are paid for their skills and are accountable by contract. Why is motor racing so very different?"

McLaren will have to decide on Tuesday whether or not to proceed with their appeal against the stewards' decision which dropped Hamilton from first to third at Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

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