Albon Sides with Piastri, Questions FIA's Inconsistent Stewarding
Alex Albon has publicly criticized the FIA stewards for their inconsistent application of penalties, supporting Oscar Piastri's previous concerns. Citing examples from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Albon expressed confusion over differing rulings for similar incidents, including his own penalty for contact with Lewis Hamilton. He hopes for clearer guidelines in future drivers' meetings, acknowledging the complexities but emphasizing the need for consistency.
Alex Albon has openly questioned the FIA stewards' inconsistent rulings on key incidents, echoing frustrations previously voiced by Oscar Piastri. The Williams driver expressed his confusion over what actions incur penalties and what do not, citing multiple examples from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Why it matters:
- Consistent stewarding is crucial for fair competition and maintaining driver confidence in the rules.
- Inconsistent application of penalties can lead to confusion, frustration, and a perception of unfairness among drivers and teams, potentially impacting race outcomes and championship battles.
- Clarity on stewarding decisions is vital for drivers to understand the boundaries and race safely yet aggressively.
The Details:
- Albon highlighted an incident where Liam Lawson made contact with Oscar Piastri in Las Vegas, locking up but fortunate to avoid significant damage.
- He contrasted this with Gabriel Bortoleto's similar, out-of-control crash, which resulted in a grid-place penalty for Bortoleto, pointing to a 'difference in terms of consistency and policing.'
- The Williams driver also referenced his own penalty in Vegas for 'clipping the back of Lewis Hamilton' during an overtake attempt.
- Despite Albon suffering front-wing damage and Hamilton reportedly losing 'maybe three tenths of race time' with no visible damage, Albon received a penalty.
- Albon expressed confusion regarding the 'tolerance for lap one' incidents, stating, 'How big is this tolerance? Well, clearly it's quite big, as long as you don't have a huge crash.'
What's Next:
- Albon, like Piastri, hopes for clarity on these rulings during upcoming drivers' meetings.
- He acknowledged that discussions are positive and appreciated the FIA and race directors' openness to address these issues, indicating they recognize it's 'becoming a problem.'
- Albon noted the inherent difficulty in applying 'strict rulings on each thing,' given the complex dynamics of racing incidents involving car positioning, turning points, track usage, and driver space.
- The ongoing dialogue aims to create 'some openness and find a better solution for the future,' indicating a shared desire for improved consistency.