Hamilton urges FIA to have ‘non-biased’ stewards overseeing F1 races

Lewis Hamilton says the FIA must ensure it has unbiased stewards officiating Formula 1 races, believing some “take more of a keen liking” to certain drivers.

The controversial end to the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi has put F1’s race officials in the spotlight over the winter period, and resulted in a series of changes to the FIA’s procedures.

Following confirmation Michael Masi had been relived as F1’s race director, the FIA announced two new race directors, who will both share the role, and the creation of a virtual race control room.

There was a general feeling that amid the intense title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton last year, the race director was under too much pressure when making decisions.

While the changes will mean the race director is better supported during a grand prix, seven-time world champion Hamilton also stressed the importance of having an impartial stewards’ room.

“We need to make sure we get non-biased stewards too,” Hamilton said, as quoted by Motorsport.com.

“Racing drivers, some are very, 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 just think [we need] people who have no bias and are super central when it comes to making decisions.”

Hamilton is not been the only driver to call out the stewards in recent months, with Alpine’s Fernando Alonso claiming there were “different rules for different people” after last year’s Russian Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver also raised the issue of the stewards lacking greater diversity, which he hopes to see addressed in the near future.

F1 is known to have four stewards working with race control at each race to judge incidents and decide if penalties need to be applied.

“I want to see more women in the stewards’ room,” Hamilton said.

“I don’t think we have many, I think last year it was maybe one or two. And I think it would be awesome for them to have a male and female as the two race directors.

“I think that’s a great way of promoting diversity too.”