Masi afraid permanent F1 stewards will raise 'bias' issues
Nov.29 - F1 race director Michael Masi has hit back at claims that Formula 1 should have permanent stewards.
In Qatar, a debate raged inside the driver camp following Max Verstappen's unpunished turn 4 defensive move against title rival Lewis Hamilton.
Some declared afterwards that the problem is that different stewards are on duty at each grand prix.
"I don't see it that way," McLaren boss Andreas Seidl said.
"As far as I know, the stewards go through old cases every time to see if there are any precedents. I also know that after every race weekend there is a lively exchange to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
"The rotation system we have is there for good reasons. One of them is that you want to make sure there is no bias against any particular team or driver.
"And I think that's a very good argument," the German added.
Top FIA official Masi agrees that a permanent panel of stewards may indeed "create the impression of bias".
"We also can't forget that no two cases are the same, even if everyone tries to generalise the incidents," he said.
"I think that's why there is this impression that the rules are being interpreted differently."
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Hmmm…you can have either bias or incompetence but not both? I don’t understand why he has his job.
I'm not sure Masi, is a TOP Fia figure..! and as far as i know, no one else from the Fia is on a rotation system at race weekends, but Masi hasn't shone year by a long way Imo
And what are the "other good reasons" they rotate the stewards. perhaps someone with unlimited F1 knowledge and wisdom can enlighten me ?
I don't think Masi is up to the job, he is too inconsistent and always looking not to upset anyone instead of having a consistent approach. An example is when he said to both Red Bull and Mercedes not to talk to him as it is the stewards job and then in Brazil he allowed Red Bull to influence the decision by allowing Jonathan Wheatley to speak to him.
OK, so you have either incompetence or bias. The former is irreparable, the latter can be fixed. C'mon, easy choice. Perm stewards, please.
I prefer the rotation. Eliminate all track limits and put in gravel traps, grass and big curbs instead.
Physical limits instead of virtual limits!
At least cars got damaged in Qatar...
Yeah, and let's all play GTA on our big screens. (add laughter)
If anything, A permanent panel should have the opposite effect, i.e., lower inconsistency chance.
I've never really bought the bias theory.
Bias is inescapable.
I see rotation of Stewards as system of adjudication most likely to render a fair decision. Much like a jury in a trial.
I'm going to root around for the process by which Stewards are picked, and I'll post the link here if I find it.
It shouldn't be about fair , just right or wrong, also likening it to a jury is not good as juries, can reach various decisions or even no decision, and that are sometimes proven to be wrong afterwards
Also in the UK for eg you have a district judge, where he or she, alone decides upon guilt or innocence without a jury even being there, relating that to the idea of permanent stewards isn't so far away
IMO
Bias is inescapable.
Here is a link to how Stewards are picked and what their duties are.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-stewards-who-are-they-what-do-they-do-how-are-they-chosen-6500572/6500572/
Ahhh, that's the rub. I will always interpret a Ruling from my own personal perspective, my own bias.
So I have to fall back on the actual Regulation, and hopefully, the language will be precise and definitive.