I just read an article on the ITV-F1 website about the controversial stewards decision to give Lewis Hamilton a 25-second time penalty for cutting the final chicane during last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
One of the stewards who made the decision replied to what has been written in the newspapers over the last week about there being a conspiracy against McLaren. He insists that there is no such thing and that they FIA were completely unbiased when deciding how to punish the Brit.
I know that some of you might think I’m biased towards Hamilton and McLaren, being British and all, but I would be furious if any driver was penalised for something this ridiculous, especially if the decision could have an impact on the outcome of this year’s world championship.
But, for some reason, I still have this nagging doubt in my mind about how unbiased the FIA are, and I think it’s time for some changes. In the article I read, it was announced that Niki Lauda and Sir Jackie Stewart “have called for Formula 1’s officiating system to be overhauled and permanent stewards appointed.” This sounds like a pretty good idea to me, because how can the sport be completely fair, if different people, with different opinions and views, enforce the rules every time Formula One travels to a new Grand Prix? How can the decisions be consistent?
I think the FIA should seriously consider this as an option for the 2009 season. It would be such a shame if this epic season wasn’t decided on the track, but rather by by some randomly selected men in suits watching TV screens.
