George Russell Calls for Professional, Paid F1 Stewards
George Russell has voiced strong opinions on the current F1 stewarding system, advocating for the replacement of volunteer stewards with paid, professional individuals. He argues that a "multibillion-dollar sport" like Formula 1 should not rely on volunteers for such critical decision-making roles, emphasizing the need for consistency and real racing experience to improve the quality and fairness of race adjudication.
Mercedes driver George Russell argues that Formula 1, a "multibillion-dollar sport," should cease relying on volunteer stewards and instead employ consistent, paid professionals with significant racing experience.
Why it matters:
The debate around F1 stewarding consistency has intensified, with drivers like Carlos Sainz and George Russell highlighting discrepancies and calling for a higher standard. Russell believes that the current volunteer model, bound by often rigid guidelines, hinders the ability to make nuanced decisions based on genuine racing insight, which could significantly impact race outcomes and championship battles.
The details:
- The Problem with Guidelines: Russell acknowledges that while stewards follow guidelines, these cannot cover every unique racing scenario. This often leads to decisions that may seem inconsistent or misaligned with a racer's perspective.
- TV Pundits vs. Stewards: Carlos Sainz previously suggested that stewarding should match the standard of analysis provided by ex-F1 drivers like Karun Chandhok, Anthony Davidson, and Jolyon Palmer. Russell agrees these pundits offer sharp analysis but notes they operate without the immediate pressure, time constraints, or strict guidelines that stewards face.
- The Power of Stewards: Russell emphasizes that stewards wield "such great power" in determining race outcomes through penalties. He argues that such critical roles in a global, high-stakes sport should not be filled by volunteers.
- Need for Consistency: The core of Russell's argument is the need for consistent stewarding across all 24 races. This, he believes, can only be achieved by a dedicated panel of paid professionals who can apply their deep racing experience and knowledge to each incident.
The big picture:
The call for professional stewards reflects a broader desire within F1 for increased professionalism and consistency across all facets of the sport, matching its massive financial scale and global reach. Moving away from a volunteer-based system for such a critical function would align F1 more closely with other top-tier professional sports, ensuring decisions are made by experienced, full-time personnel rather than individuals who might vary from race to race.
What's next:
While no immediate changes have been announced, the growing chorus from prominent drivers like Russell and Sainz puts pressure on the FIA to review its stewarding structure. Implementing a fully professional, paid stewarding panel would represent a significant shift, likely requiring substantial investment. However, the potential for increased consistency, fairness, and driver confidence could be a major benefit for the sport's integrity and spectacle.