With the excitement building for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, an unexpected twist has grabbed attention off the track.
Derek Warwick, a respected former F1 driver and current race steward, has been temporarily suspended from his stewarding duties after making some controversial public comments about a recent race incident.
Warwick’s Comments on Verstappen and Russell Incident Spark Controversy
Last week, Warwick gave his opinion on the collision between Max Verstappen and George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix, where Verstappen received a 10-second penalty.
Speaking to a gambling website, Warwick acknowledged the move was wrong but felt the penalty was fair and maybe even lenient.
He explained, “Should Max have done what he did with George at Turn 5? Absolutely not.
Did he get a penalty? Yes.” Warwick also compared the incident to Sebastian Vettel’s penalty for a deliberate collision with Lewis Hamilton in 2017.
He pointed out that although Verstappen’s maneuver looked like a dive in, he turned away, and momentum caused the collision.
Despite defending the penalty’s fairness, Warwick didn’t condone Verstappen’s actions. “The FIA rightly gave him a penalty.
Should it have been harsher? Many say yes, maybe even a race ban to deter young karting drivers.”
FIA Issues Statement and Apology from Warwick
Following the media stir, the FIA released a statement saying Derek Warwick acknowledged his comments were inappropriate given his role as an official steward and had apologized for them.
The FIA confirmed Warwick will be sidelined for the Canadian Grand Prix but is expected to return for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Warwick, who also boasts a Le Mans 24 Hours win, is one of the most senior stewards and usually one of the four officials on every Grand Prix weekend.
Support and Replacement During Suspension
While Warwick is off duty this weekend, Enrique Bernoldi will step in to cover his stewarding responsibilities remotely from the FIA’s operations center in Geneva.
Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle defended Warwick strongly on social media, calling him “one of the most genuine and passionate people in motorsport” and praising his commitment to supporting young drivers and the sport itself.
Brundle vowed his full support for Warwick through this temporary setback.
Past FIA Actions and Stewarding Independence
This isn’t the first time the FIA has sanctioned a steward for public comments.
Earlier this year, Johnny Herbert was removed after the FIA said his media role clashed with his steward duties.
The FIA maintains strict rules that stewards must remain independent and don’t publicly discuss their decision-making during races to preserve impartiality.
This incident highlights how carefully stewards must balance their official roles with public commentary.
Race Weekend Ahead: Qualifying and the Main Event
As the paddock focuses on the action, qualifying is set for Saturday with the Canadian Grand Prix race taking place Sunday evening.
Fans will be eager to see how the drivers respond amid this off-track drama and whether Verstappen can continue his strong form.