The FIA have changed three of the stewards who handed Max Verstappen a 20-second penalty in Mexico ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Former driver Johnny Herbert, who received criticism from Verstappen’s father last weekend, is the only steward who remains in place as teams head to Brazil.
A four-man panel of stewards, tasked with officiating the weekend’s racing action, are rotated on a race by race basis. Three of the stewards from the Mexico City Grand Prix will not be in charge in Brazil this weekend.
Herbert, who denied claims of British bias towards McLaren’s Lando Norris this week, will remain in place. But Tim Mayer, Loic Bacquelaine and Alfonso Oros Trigueros will all step aside.
Three-time Grand Prix winner Herbert will be joined by Dr Gerd Ennser, Andrew Mallalieu and Luciano Burti. The FIA have announced the changes in the aftermath of strong criticism of Verstappen’s 20-point penalty last weekend, which he received for a clash with Norris.
Jos Verstappen claimed that stewards could be guilty of a conflict of interest. Herbert is a British former driver, while fellow Mexican steward Mayer is the son of McLaren co-founder Teddy Mayer.
“The FIA should take a good look at the staffing of the stewards, who they put there and whether there is no appearance of a conflict of interest,” Verstappen Snr said. “From former drivers, for example, who have more sympathy for certain drivers.”
There is no evidence of bias from the Mexican Grand Prix stewards and Herbert has hit back at those allegations.
“There always seems to be an issue about us British stewards being biased, but when we’re in that room, we abide by the rules and guidelines from the FIA,” Herbert told Action Network.
“That is how we have to judge the racing on the track. To say it’s biased is absolutely ridiculous and not the case.
“We try as hard as possible to be fair in our judgement. In Mexico, the stewards other than me were American, Belgian and Brazilian, all who have the same powers as each other. To say there’s bias is ridiculous.”
Verstappen was handed separate 10-second penalties over incidents within a few seconds of each other. The Red Bull star was deemed to have forced Norris wide at Turn 4 early in the race. He was then punished for moving wide in an attempt to reclaim his position.
