The world of Formula 1 has been rocked once again by controversy surrounding the FIA's stewarding panel, as Derek Warwick, a seasoned steward and former F1 driver, has been suspended from his duties for the Canadian Grand Prix due to "unauthorised media comments." This decision, announced on June 14, 2025, follows Warwick's recent interview with a gambling website where he openly discussed sensitive topics related to the sport, including the contentious Spanish Grand Prix incident involving Max Verstappen and George Russell.
Derek Warwick, who raced in Formula 1 from 1981 to 1992 and boasts an impressive resume including a Le Mans 24 Hours victory and a tenure as president of the British Racing Drivers' Club, has long been one of the sport’s most respected stewards. His role as a driver steward involves providing crucial insight from a driver's perspective when adjudicating race incidents, a responsibility that demands impartiality and discretion.
However, Warwick’s recent comments, which were deemed "ill-advised" by the FIA, have led to his suspension from stewarding at the Canadian Grand Prix held from June 13 to 15, 2025. He was set to be part of the stewarding panel for this event but was replaced by Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, who is officiating remotely from the FIA's operations center in Geneva for the duration of the race weekend.
Warwick’s remarks, made during an interview with the gambling platform Plejmo shortly after the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1, 2025, touched on several hot-button issues within the sport. Notably, he weighed in on the penalty handed to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who received three penalty points for a collision with Mercedes driver George Russell. This penalty left Verstappen just one point shy of a race ban, a situation that has generated significant debate among fans and pundits alike.
In his comments, Warwick stated, "It is absolutely wrong and the FIA was right to give him a penalty," referring to Verstappen’s actions at Turn Five in Barcelona. He elaborated that although Verstappen "dove in," he "then did turn away from George, but momentum pushed him against George." This measured assessment, however, was considered inappropriate for a steward actively involved in officiating the sport.
Beyond Verstappen, Warwick also made candid observations about other high-profile drivers. He described Lewis Hamilton's early struggles at Ferrari as an "enigma," suggesting the seven-time world champion might already be contemplating retirement. Hamilton, however, swiftly dispelled such speculation during a press conference on June 12, 2025, affirming, "There’s zero doubts, so please stop making stuff up," and emphasizing his commitment to the team for the "long haul."
Additionally, Warwick criticized Red Bull's decision-making regarding their driver lineup, labeling Yuki Tsunoda a "disaster" for the team and calling the departure of Sergio Perez a "mistake." These frank opinions, while reflecting Warwick’s experience and insight, crossed the boundaries set for stewards, whose roles require strict neutrality and confidentiality.
The FIA’s statement on Warwick’s suspension was succinct but firm: "Following recent unauthorised media comments, the FIA has taken the decision to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, who will be officiating from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event. After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix." This return is anticipated in early July 2025, signaling that the suspension is temporary but serves as a clear warning.
This incident marks the second time in 2025 that the FIA has taken disciplinary action against a steward for media-related conflicts. Earlier in January, Johnny Herbert, another former F1 driver and steward, was relieved of his duties after his media punditry was deemed incompatible with his role within the FIA. Herbert had been involved in a public dispute with Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen’s father, after controversial penalties were handed down in the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix. Jos Verstappen accused Herbert of bias and called into question the FIA’s stewarding appointments, a claim that Herbert countered by criticizing Verstappen’s driving style.
The FIA has traditionally maintained that stewards operate independently from the governing body, making decisions based solely on regulations, guidelines, and evidence. However, these recent controversies have cast a spotlight on the challenges of balancing steward duties with public commentary and media involvement. There are currently no official guidelines limiting the extent of media engagement for stewards, a gap that has led to these high-profile disciplinary cases.
The timing of Warwick’s suspension is notable, coming just a day after controversial statute changes were passed at the FIA’s general assembly. Critics argue these changes risk "further contributing to the erosion of the FIA's reputation for competent and transparent governance" under the leadership of president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Since taking office in 2021, Ben Sulayem’s tenure has been marked by controversies related to governance and accountability, with measures perceived to consolidate his power and reduce oversight.
The stewarding panel plays a critical role in maintaining fairness and integrity in Formula 1, and the FIA’s swift action against Warwick underscores the importance placed on upholding impartiality. Former drivers like Warwick bring invaluable experience to stewarding but must navigate the delicate balance between offering expert analysis and maintaining the confidentiality required by their official roles.
As the Canadian Grand Prix unfolds with Enrique Bernoldi stepping in, the F1 community watches closely to see how the FIA manages steward conduct and media relations moving forward. With the Austrian Grand Prix on the horizon, Warwick’s return will be a litmus test for whether the FIA can enforce its standards without losing the expertise of its senior stewards.
For now, the incident serves as a reminder that in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, even the most seasoned insiders must tread carefully when speaking publicly, especially on platforms linked to gambling and betting, where comments can carry significant weight and consequences.
