FIA & team bosses play down new Hamilton 'bias' claims
Feb.24 - As Lewis Hamilton launches new claims of F1 steward "bias", both Toto Wolff and Christian Horner agree that it's time to move on from the 2021 title controversy.
"Maybe we have different opinions, but that's behind us now," said Horner, who led Max Verstappen to a controversial victory over Mercedes' Hamilton last December.
The Red Bull chief has already said that race director Michael Masi's ousting was "harsh", but he now wants the conversation to move on to the next battle - for the 2022 crown.
Wolff also said on the opening day of official pre-season testing in Barcelona: "I agree with Christian that we need to move on.
"There has been so much talk about Abu Dhabi that it came to a point that it is really damaging for all of us stakeholders of Formula 1.
"We have closed the chapter and moved on."
However, seven time world champion Hamilton insists that, notwithstanding Masi's departure, an FIA investigation and restructuring of the refereeing processes over the winter, another problem in F1 is "biased stewards".
"Some of the drivers are very good friends with certain individuals," the 37-year-old claims. "Some travel with certain individuals and tend to take more of a keen liking to some of them."
Hamilton, though, did not want to elaborate on the 2021 Abu Dhabi controversy, insisting: "I think I've said everything about it.
"And that's in my past. I want to look ahead and do my job now."
Interestingly, both Hamilton's boss and Horner played down the claims.
"I don't think there is an intended bias and I'm not aware of any stewards travelling with drivers to races," Horner said.
Wolff agreed that there is no "conscious bias" among the officials in F1, but he said there may be room to move in terms of "professionalism in the stewards room".
"But I think there are some very good people that we can build upon," he added.
The governing FIA, now led by Jean Todt's successor Mohammed bin Sulayem, also dismissed Hamilton's claims of bias.
"The FIA is proud of its global journey connecting and developing motorsport's most talented stewards," a spokesman for the Paris based federation said.
"This has resulted in a strong, independent and experienced group of officials who carry out their work impartially and with the utmost professionalism."
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Championship contenders have seemingly got favored over non-contenders occasionally. Why would stewards travel with drivers anyway?
Er pvt jets , no customs issues, and quick take off, how many reasons do you want..!
More reasons, always more. We never tire of Shrop' pronouncements. Now get serious and let's conjure up our season prognostications.
Don't you just love Sircryalot, just watched his press interview , and he says (we don't make mistakes) Ermmm, you+your team made quite a few last year but i guess when your so full of shit you can easily forget things
Come on George, show us what you've got...
I’ll do it, we could all do it, no bias here.
Wolff said there should be more professionalism from the steward's what a joke, take a look at yourself and hampster first.
Sir Lulu is becoming a disruptive individual. The problem lies with the fact that LH has lost perspective. He is a very good driver, no one doubts that. However, Lulu hasn’t cured cancer during the off-season, he’s hasn’t done anything for world peace, i.e. Russia invasion of Ukraine, people are still starving in this world. He needs to stop demanding anything, get in the car, shut your mouth and drive. P.S. knighthood is only important to those who were knighted.
Well done, Susan!! You said what many of us are thinking
Well said, Susan, best concise review and rebuke of the knight in a while. Now that he is a EX-champion and has lost a chunk of his fanbase (gotta' think of those future clothing and/or music sales) he might be ready to take your advice. He is a first rate pilot and it would be fun to see him concentrate on racing.
I've been off doing other things so my comments on "LDM" thats Lewis-Doesnt-Matter for those that aren't in the know , have been a bit lack lustre in the sarcasm dept recently, but i aim to improve greatly, this yr should provide ample opportunities for us all .
What could possibly be more important than yapping with your mates on this site? Endearing that you are pretending to have a life. :)
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