Bernie Ecclestone also lashes out at the FIA: “It’s becoming an absurd situation”. Bernie Ecclestone hits out on the way the stewards impose penalties on F1 drivers.

The penalty situation, as has clearly emerged in recent race weekends, is slipping out of the FIA’s control. Although the federation revised its guidelines on on-track duels specifically to prevent further controversy after the incidents between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in the United States Grand Prix at the Austin circuit and in Mexico City, discontent reigns in the paddock regarding the stewards’ work.

This frustration was also expressed by Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 chief, who believes that the interpretation of the regulations and the assessment of incidents has become too extreme.

“It’s no longer racing”
“It’s becoming an absurd situation,” said the British magnate to Belgian broadcaster RTBF – “You could sum up the current rules in one sentence: ‘don’t fight, or you’ll end up in trouble.’ We saw it in Mexico with the two 10-second penalties handed to Max. If you give those penalties for this, what will you do if something more serious happens? How many seconds will you give in that case? I think we’ve gone too far at this level. Everything is too clean, too methodical. It’s no longer real racing.” – added the man who took Formula 1 from a niche racing competition to a global phenomenon over a four-decade career

When asked how Formula 1 has changed over the years compared to his era, Bernie Ecclestone added: “It’s like everywhere else in the world. Everything keeps changing. I’m not saying that the current people are doing a bad job, just that they haven’t looked closely enough at the things that need to be eliminated and changed.” – he pointed out.

The GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association) also took up the issue publicly, releasing a statement on their Instagram page today: “As in all sports, competitors must adhere to the referee’s decision, whether they like it or not, whether they agree with it or not. That’s how sport works. Drivers are no different and understand this perfectly. Our members are professional drivers competing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are gladiators, and every race weekend they put on a great show for the fans.”