Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert came under fire last year for openly criticizing Max Verstappen in addition to his role as an FIA steward. The British ex-driver has since stepped down as a steward, partly because his FIA job was found to be ‘incompatible’ with his role as a reporter. Now, another steward has publicly commented on Verstappen; 70-year-old Derek Warwick, also a British former driver.
Like Johnny Herbert, Derek Warwick expressed his opinion on a betting site. Before he serves as an FIA steward at the upcoming Canadian GP, he passed judgement on Max Verstappen in an interview with Plejmo. Warwick stated that he believed the time penalty and penalty points imposed on the Dutch driver during the recent Spanish GP were justified.
‘Perfect Penalty’
“I think everyone needs to realize that a driver like Verstappen is used to winning,” said the FIA steward. “It’s very difficult when things go against you, especially if you could have won the race on paper. We all know he’s a winner, but should he have done what he did, in turn 5 with George Russell? Absolutely not. Did he get a penalty for that? Yes.” Warwick was not a steward during the race weekend in Barcelona, but fully supports his colleagues’ decisions. He denies that Verstappen should have been punished more severely.
“Sebastian Vettel once received a ten-second drive-through penalty in Baku after an incident with Lewis Hamilton,” Warwick recalled. “At that time, he deliberately collided with Lewis. However, if you watch this video, it seems clear to me that he (Verstappen) was merely using his momentum to push Russell away – he even turned away from him. There are many people who believe he should have been suspended, as an example to all the young kart racers who look up to him. Those people are probably right, but in my opinion, this punishment was perfect.”
FIA steward Derek Warwick has raised eyebrows after publicly commenting on Max Verstappen.
