Jos Verstappen Urges FIA to Adopt Permanent F1 Stewards

Jos Verstappen urges the FIA to adopt permanent stewards, emphasizing the need for consistency and professionalism in Formula 1 decisions.

Jos Verstappen has called for a stricter and more consistent application of penalties by FIA stewards in F1, questioning why the same infraction sometimes results in different levels of punishment.

The Dutchman revealed he has discussed the issue with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

Last season, his son, Max Verstappen, was handed community service for swearing during an official FIA press conference, while Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc received only a fine for a similar offense.

Although the governing body provided context and explanations for these decisions and differing verdicts, Jos nonetheless criticized this approach.

“I discussed it with Stefano Domenicali. The stewards simply need to punish consistently. The same rule for everyone.”

“Not a five-second penalty one time and a ten-second penalty the next for the same offense.”

“And why did Max get community service for saying ‘fuck’ while another gets a fine [referring to Charles Leclerc’s penalty]?”

“The stewards no longer know what to do. I think there should be stricter rules in this area.”

Jos believes the FIA made a mistake in highlighting profanity.

“At the FIA, they clearly made an error with these penalties. You can’t hand out penalties every time someone says ‘fuck.’ You know what I would have done if I were FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem? I would have taken the drivers aside and said, ‘Guys, watch your language.’ But going public like that…”

Like many, Jos Verstappen believes a pool of permanent stewards could help address the FIA’s current issues with officiating.

Despite being a former F1 driver himself, Verstappen does not think it is appropriate for ex-F1 drivers to be part of the stewards’ panel.

Johnny Herbert, who raced against Verstappen in the 1990s and early 2000s, has been at the center of recent controversies involving Max Verstappen, having also criticized his conduct outside the stewards’ room. This is a potential conflict of interest that Verstappen Sr. wants to avoid in F1.

“A permanent pool of stewards would be helpful. And not more former Formula 1 drivers, but rather people with more distance and fewer interests, who still understand what the sport means. With the same stewards every time, you’d also get more consistent decisions. More consistency is simply better. It’s up to the FIA. They need to raise their professionalism.”

Regarding professionalism, Verstappen has identified this area as critical for improving standards, suggesting that the FIA could learn from FIFA in this regard.

“Select a group of permanent stewards, pay them well, and value their role. Currently, they receive a small amount for attending a race. But I think the focus should be on finding people who are not financially dependent on this role.”

“In football, you have FIFA referees who undergo training and courses and are well-compensated. This should also be the case in Formula 1, of course. In this area, the FIA still has a lot to learn from FIFA.”

With €332,900 in fines collected in 2024—three times the amount of 2023—the FIA might just have the resources to afford one or two permanent stewards.