Martin Brundle makes feelings clear as Canada GP steward suspended before race
Sky Sports presenter Martin Brundle has taken to social media after the FIA confirmed that steward Derek Warwick would not be working on this weekend's Grand Prix in Montreal
Martin Brundle has thrown his support behind Derek Warwick after he was controversially axed as steward at this weekend's Canadian GP. The 70-year-old was due to be working in Montreal this weekend but has now been suspended by the FIA.
The decision comes after quotes attributed to the former F1 driver were circulated by a gambling firm in the lead up to the Grand Prix. A number of websites have since picked up the interview which had comments surrounding a number of current drivers.
'Following recent unauthorised media comments, the FIA has taken the decision to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix,' an FIA statement read.
'He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, who will be officiating from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event.
'After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.'
After the decision was announced, Sky Sports favourite Brundle has defended his friend Warwick and says he retains his absolute support.
He said on social media: 'Derek Warwick is one of the most genuine and passionate people and racers I have ever known. He is a salt of the earth genuine guy.
'He's done so much for young racers and motorsport in general. Not least as an FIA Steward. He has my absolute support and friendship until my last breath."
Warwick becomes the second high-profile steward to be stood down this season after Jonny Herbert suffered a similar fate. Like Warwick, the decision to remove Herbert was made citing a conflict of interest with comments in the media.
On the track, George Russell showed good early pace, finishing as the quickest in Friday's second practice session. The British driver took pole in Canada last year and showed signs he could repeat that feat by edging out Lando Norris and Kimi Anotinelli who were second and third fastest respectively.
Russell was later summoned to race stewards for failing to follow the escape road at turn 14, but was handed a warning rather than any penalties for the weekend.
There were also two crashes, with Lance Stroll thudding into a concrete wall and Ferrari's Charles LeClerc suffering a heavy accident during the first practice session.
It damaged both the wheels on the left side of his car and also some of the bodywork. And, crucially, Ferrari mechanics discovered that the impact also damaged the chassis itself, meaning the team's spare chassis would have been needed if Leclerc was to head out on track in the second session of the day.
But, as team principal Frederic Vasseur said in the press conference held between the two practice sessions, that would be against the rules. And so Leclerc was forced to miss virtually all the running on Friday.
Vasseur said: "When I left the garage, we think that we damaged the chassis and we won't be able to do FP2, by regulation. We need to do some checks, but I think it's over for today for Charles."
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