Lewis Hamilton has called on the FIA to make sure there are “non-biased stewards” making the decisions this season, claiming some stewards are too close to certain drivers.
Hamilton’s comments came after he was controversially beaten by Max Verstappen in last year’s championship-decider, following a string of vexed decisions by former F1 race director Michael Masi during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Last week Masi was sacked from the role as a part of an officiating restructure, with the FIA announcing the Australian will be replaced by two new race directors who will share the responsibility.
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On the first day of pre-season testing, Hamilton was asked how the new make-up would help streamline decision-making.
“We need to make sure we have non-biased stewards, too,” he replied.
“Racing drivers, some are very good friends with certain individuals, some travel with certain individuals and tend to take more of a keen liking to some of them.
“I think [we need] people who have no bias, are super central when it comes to making decisions.”
Responding to Hamilton’s claims of favouritism, an FIA spokesperson said: “The FIA is proud of its global stewarding pathway that connects and develops the most talented stewards from across motorsport.
“This has resulted in a strong, independent and experienced group of officials who carry out their work with impartiality and the utmost professionalism.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also disagreed with Hamilton’s accusations of bias, instead, shifting the focus to previous inconsistencies in the rules.
“I think we need professionalism in the stewards’ room,” said Wolff.
“I don’t think there is a conscious bias, to be honest. It’s intelligent people.
“There shouldn’t be a lot of room to interpret the rules. There shouldn’t be leniency depending on what the potential outcome might be.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: “I would agree with Toto that I don’t think there’s an intended bias. I’m not aware of any stewards travelling with drivers to races.”
Hamilton also called for more female officials on the circuit.
“I want to see more women in the stewards’ room,” he said.
“It would be awesome for them to have a male and female as the two race directors that they’re talking about doing.
“I think that’s a great way of promoting diversity, too.”
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