The outspoken boss of Formula One’s team Haas was hauled before the stewards yesterday for potentially bringing the sport Ito disrepute following his criticism of decisions made in Monaco.

Nico Hulkenberg was penalised by the Monaco stewards for causing a collision which TV replays later demonstrated did not occur.

 

 

Steiner criticises Monaco stewards

Steiner called for the sport to appoint full time professional stewards rather than the rather ad-hoc grace and favour manner in which the stewards are appointed from FIA national associations around the world.

“Every professional sport has got professionals being referees and stuff like this,” Steiner argued.

“F1 is one of the biggest sports in the world, and we still have laymen deciding on the fate of people who invest millions in their careers. And it’s always a discussion because there’s no consistency. 

“I think we need to step it up. I think it’s now time. I think we’re discussing this for years and years and we always go back to this.”

 

 

FIA accuse Haas boss of “offence”

This is not the first time race control and the stewards decisions have been called questionable since the departure of Michael Massi.

Yet Gunter’s comments went down like a lead brick with the FIA suggesting the Haas boss had used language that could cause “offence, humiliation or to be inappropriate.” 

Steiner has now been reprimanded though interestingly its for using specific terms such as “layman”.

A statement issued today from the FIA says: 

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FIA investigate the semantics

In a statement issued on Sunday morning, the stewards say: “Mr Steiner’s word ‘laymen’ and his reference to other sports having “professional” personnel could be, and indeed were, perceived to cause offence and in our view reasonably did cause offence not only to the Stewards in Monaco but also to other FIA personnel and many motorsport volunteers. 

“However, the Stewards accept Mr Steiner’s statement during the hearing, that his reference to professionalism was meant to refer to people who worked in a role as their profession and not that the Stewards were acting unprofessionally.  

“Further Mr Steiner stated his reference to ‘laymen’ was meant to refer to people who worked occasionally and not meant to refer a lack of qualifications or specialisation.  

“Mr Steiner also freely apologised ‘if anyone was hurt by what I said or misunderstood what I said’. The Stewards accept this apology.” 

 

 

Steiner issues his own statement

Gunther has issued his own statement following the stewards decision.

“I expressed to the Stewards my disappointment and disagreement with the decision taken by the Monaco Stewards last weekend,” explained Steiner. 

“The Stewards informed me that they had no issue with people disagreeing with decisions but were more concerned about the interpretation that had been placed on some of my comments. 

 “I explained to the stewards that I had not intended to offend anyone and that my use of certain words could have been open to misinterpretation or misunderstood by some people. 

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Classic Gunther expression

“I told the Stewards that I apologised if my statements were misunderstood or caused hurt to anyone as that was not my intention. I repeat that apology here.” 

The FIA statement including the typical Gunther expression: “Mr Steiner stated that if he had meant to insult or offend anyone, he would have used much different words. The Stewards do not dispute this.”

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