For the past several weeks, the FIA stewarding staff at
Formula 1 races has faced ample criticism for seemingly controversial decisions
made during races – and for what some fans have perceived as bias among the
stewarding staff.
Heading into the Brazilian Grand
Prix, we’ll be taking a look at the backgrounds of the four stewards on
hand for the weekend, as well explaining in brief how stewarding works in
Formula 1.
Brazilian GP: How FIA stewarding works in Formula 1
During each Formula 1 weekend, the FIA appoints a staff of
four stewards whose role is to review any potential rule breakages and to issue
penalties in situations where they deem a rule has indeed been broken.
The role of a steward is temporary. Three of the four
stewards in any one weekend are selected by the FIA from an international pool
of folks who hold an FIA Super License (which is different from the super
license that drivers need to compete in F1). One of those panelists will be
appointed chairman.
In addition, the national sporting authority of the race at
hand also nominates a fourth steward to round out the panel.
This four-person group serves as the arbiter of all
penalties applied during a Formula 1 weekend. Potential violations of the FIA
rulebook will be referred to this group, who will then determine if there was
indeed a violation, and if so, what the appropriate punishment should be.
Brazilian GP steward: Dr. Gerd Ennser
Dr. Gerd Ennser is listed as being an executive committee
member of Germany’s motorsport body, the DMSB. A former racer himself, Dr.
Ennser later pursued a degree in law; in 2006, he became a permanent steward in
Germany’s DTM championship. Six years later, he joined the FIA’s Formula 1
stewarding pool.
Dr. Ennser has been involved in a bit of controversy,
notably in levying a penalty against Sebastian Vettel for re-joining the track
in an unsafe manner at the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix. The decision was much
talked about, sparking a conversation about the FIA providing greater
transparency in its rulings.
Brazilian GP steward: Andrew Mallalieu
Andrew Mallalieu is currently president of the Barbados
Motoring Federation and also serves as a steward for Formula 1, the World Rally
Championship, and Formula 3 when he isn’t working as a Certified Public
Accountant and a chartered surveyor.
Mallalieu is a newer addition to the FIA steward candidate
pool, having been elected after the conclusion of the 2021 F1 season.
Brazilian GP steward: Johnny Herbert
Of all the stewards on the Brazilian GP panel, Johnny
Herbert is perhaps the most familiar name to F1 fans. A former driver, he
competed in Formula 1 between 1989 and 2000 with a variety of teams and also
won three races.
After Formula 1, Herbert turned to sports cars before
pursuing a career as a Sky Sports pundit. After that, Herbert joined the FIA as
one of the several rotating stewards during F1 race weekends.
Herbert has faced criticism of late, with some fans lobbying
allegations of “British bias” against him, and questioning stewarding decisions
in the past when he was on the panel.
.webp)
