Debating Stewarding Decisions: Did Singapore GP Go Easy on Max Verstappen?

Stewards from the Japanese Grand Prix have shed light on a matter that has been the subject of fervent debate among Formula 1 enthusiasts and experts alike. Their revelation, unveiled during a crucial meeting with team managers at Suzuka, has ignited a fresh wave of discussions regarding the stewarding decisions made at the Singapore Grand Prix, particularly concerning Max Verstappen’s actions on the track.

The crux of the matter lies in whether the stewards at the Singapore GP were too lenient in their judgment of Verstappen’s conduct. Stewards from the Japanese GP have expressed their belief that the Singapore GP officials may have erred in not imposing more severe penalties on Verstappen. In particular, they argue that Verstappen should have faced a grid drop for his actions, which included impeding Yuki Tsunoda and potentially another incident related to pit lane conduct.

One of the voices echoing this sentiment is McLaren’s Lando Norris, who, in his characteristic style, injected a dose of humor into the conversation. Norris criticized the leniency displayed towards Verstappen, urging drivers to exercise greater caution to avoid obstructing their fellow competitors on the track.

Max Verstappen, in the midst of this controversy, mounted a defense for his actions in the pit lane. He maintained that his pit lane actions were routine and not outside the norm in Formula 1. However, he did concede fault for obstructing Yuki Tsunoda during the qualifying session of the Singapore Grand Prix, acknowledging the chaotic nature of that particular session.

The intrigue surrounding this matter deepened when David Croft, a renowned figure in the world of Formula 1 as a Sky Sports F1 commentator, revealed that stewards from the Japanese Grand Prix had engaged in discussions with team representatives to express their concerns about the stewarding decisions in Singapore. This revelation has added fuel to the fire of controversy.

“One of the stewards from the Singapore GP admitted, in a meeting with team managers at Suzuka, that Verstappen should have had a grid drop for the Yuki impeding at least, and potentially a second drop for the pit lane incident,” he said during FP2 of this weekend. 

Lando Norris, never one to shy away from humor, underscored the responsibility that falls on drivers to diligently check their mirrors and refrain from actions that block their competitors. In his characteristic witty style, Norris even teased that he might find himself in a similar predicament, jokingly admitting that such a scenario would make him “look stupid.”

The FIA’s stance on the matter is also worth noting. While the governing body reprimanded Verstappen for an 18-second hesitation at the pit lane exit, they concluded that no advantage had been gained from this action. Furthermore, Verstappen and the Red Bull team faced fines for impeding Yuki Tsunoda, but no further action was taken in connection with the incident involving Logan Sargeant.

As the dust continues to settle on this contentious issue, it prompts the Formula 1 community to reflect on whether the stewards’ decisions at the Singapore Grand Prix were indeed the correct ones.