The FIA stewards have finished Haas team principal Guenther Steiner for his F1 Russian GP radio outburst due to a penalty to Kevin Magnussen.
The Haas F1 team has been in the news always in the 2019 season, whether it is due to their tyre dramas or the car or the drivers or even sponsors, but this time it was related to their team boss, Steiner, for his post-race radio comments.
After string of non-points races, Haas finally got one in Russia courtesy Magnussen, when he finished eighth in the order. However, a five-second time penalty dropped him to ninth and behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, thereby losing two points.
While in his battle with Racing Point’s Sergio Perez, the Dane went in between the bollards placed at Turn 2, when he had to go to the left all-together. Magnussen was naturally disappointed but Steiner was even more, with quite an outburst.
His message was: “Thank you very much, if it wouldn’t have been for a stupid, idiotic steward, we would be eighth. Thanks for the great job guys, fantastic. Thanks Kevin, great job and driving. Thank you. You know who is the steward. It is always the same. He just does not get any more intelligent.”
Already there were reports of the FIA looking into the matter from the Sporting Regulations side and Steiner was eventually summoned by the stewards in Japanese GP, which determined a fine for the Italian and a warning for a harsher punishment if repeated.
The point in contention was related to Article 11.9.3 t) of the International Sporting Code. The matter couldn’t be dealt with in Russia as some of the Haas members already left and so the hearing took place at Suzuka, with one common steward from Russia.
In the hearing, Steiner confirmed that his comment was related to one single steward, who is also present in Japan, who happens to be Dr. Gerd Ennser. The Haas chief regretted the choice of words but the comment was still taken as an insult.
Therefore, the FIA imposed a fine of €7,500 on Steiner according to Articles 12.1.4, 12.2.1, and 12.4.1 of the International Sporting Code, since he holds a FIA superlicense and is morally responsible to speak in a manner which doesn’t hurt the sport.
The details of the hearing is as follows:
“On October 11, 2019, the Stewards conducted a hearing with Mr. Steiner. He confirmed that his comment was related only to a single Steward of the Russian Grand Prix panel. He didn’t intend to single out other Stewards of that panel. Therefore, he has no objection to the present panel hearing this case, even though the Chairman was also the Chairman at the Russian Grand Prix.
“During the hearing Mr. Steiner said that his radio transmission happened in the heat of the moment after a hotly contested race by his drivers. In retrospect, he regretted his choice of words used at the time. He did not intend for his words to reflect unfavourably on the FIA officials of the event and the championship.
“Nevertheless, the affected radio communication as transmitted at the time is an insult to the Stewards of the event and calls into question both the skills and the integrity of those Stewards. Such statements harm the reputation of motorsport in general, the FIA in particular, and call into question the professionalism of the officials of the FIA.
“While any factual criticism of Steward panel decisions is always welcomed in private discussions with that panel, public personal attacks against individual officials are totally inappropriate and will not be accepted.
“The wording used by Mr. Steiner has caused moral injury to FIA officials, was prejudicial to the interests of motorsport and therefore shall be deemed to be a breach of the rules as defined in Articles 12 1.1.c and 12.1.1.f of the International Sporting Code. As a person holding a FIA Super License, Mr. Steiner is subject to penalisation by a fine according to Articles 12.1.4, 12.2.1, and 12.4.1 of the International Sporting Code.
“Since no penalties have been imposed on Mr. Steiner for similar behaviour in the past, a fine of the amount imposed is considered appropriate. However, in the event of future violations, it may become necessary to consider whether a team should be penalized, along with any individual involved, with harsher sanctions.
“Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Article 9.1.1 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.”
Here’s the post-race story from Russia