Gunther Steiner: Stewards feared penalizing F1's top driver Verstappen.

3 days ago7 min read

Former Haas team principal Gunther Steiner has thrown a hand grenade into the Formula 1 paddock, suggesting that Max Verstappen’s status as a multiple-world champion and the sport’s premier driver directly influenced stewards' decision not to penalize him for a track limits violation at the Mexican Grand Prix. 'You know, if Max feels he's been treated unfairly, he is very vocal about it – perhaps the stewards worry about that more than anything else,' Steiner opined, cutting to the heart of a debate that simmers at every race weekend.'They are afraid of the greatest driver in modern F1, you understand? That kind of attitude emerges when a driver achieves the status of the greatest. His statements carry more weight.If you are at the very top, your voice becomes stronger. Max exerts far more influence than someone who finishes second to last.Is the stewards' decision connected to a reluctance to deal with a celebrity? Exactly so. ' This isn't just about one corner cut in Mexico City; it’s a microcosm of the immense psychological and political power a dominant champion wields, a dynamic seen throughout the sport’s history where figures like Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, and Lewis Hamilton often seemed to operate with an unspoken aura that could bend race control's will.The 'Verstappen effect' raises profound questions about the consistency and perceived fairness of officiating in a sport where tenths of a second and championship points are worth millions. Are stewards, often part-time officials, subconsciously swayed by the sheer force of personality and accomplishment, fearing the backlash from both the driver and his legion of fans? Or is there a pragmatic, albeit controversial, understanding that punishing the sport's biggest star for minor infractions creates more drama than it's worth, potentially overshadowing the on-track spectacle? We've seen this movie before: legendary drivers developing a reputation for being 'untouchable,' their on-track aggression judged by a different standard, creating a competitive advantage that extends beyond the raw performance of their car.Steiner’s comments, coming from a seasoned and outspoken insider, validate what many fans and pundits have long suspected, forcing a necessary conversation about whether the regulations are applied equally or if a driver's podium count grants them a subtle, yet significant, immunity. In the high-stakes theater of Formula 1, where engineering and politics collide, the fear of penalizing a top driver can be as influential as the fear of his raw speed.

#Formula 1

#Max Verstappen

#stewards

#penalty

#controversy

#Gunther Steiner

#Mexican Grand Prix

#featured

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