Latest news with #DerekWarwick
TimesLIVE
15-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Former F1 racer Warwick suspended as Canadian Grand Prix steward
Formula One's governing body has suspended former racer Derek Warwick as Canadian Grand Prix steward for unauthorised media comments about current drivers. The FIA did not specify what the 70-year-old Briton, who raced from 1981 to 1993, had said but media reports said Warwick had been quoted by a betting platform talking about the Spanish Grand Prix. Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen was handed three penalty points in Spain for a collision on June 1 with Mercedes driver George Russell, a sanction that left the Dutch driver one point away from a ban. '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,' the governing body said in a statement on Friday. '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 discussions, Derek acknowledges 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.' Warwick is the second steward to be dropped this year for unauthorised comments, with compatriot Johnny Herbert suffering that fate in January because his work as a media pundit was declared incompatible with the role. Meanwhile, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur slammed media reports in Italy that he said were disrespectful and distracting for employees and damaging the team. Speaking a day after seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton defended his boss as the man to lead the team back to the top, Vasseur showed he was hurting as he gave his own personal response. Ferrari are second to McLaren in the constructors' standings, but 197 points behind, and have not won a F1 championship since 2008. Some media reports in Italy have suggested Vasseur's position is at risk, along with other senior employees, and that driver Charles Leclerc could be looking for a move elsewhere. Hamilton's future has also been questioned. 'It's not about myself, I believe, because this I can manage,' said Vasseur, who started out saying he would have to remain calm. 'It's more about the people of the team. To throw their names like this, I think it's just disrespectful for them, for the family. Perhaps it's to give shit to the team, but in this case, I don't see the point,' he said of the speculation, a comment that could put him in hot water with the FIA for using bad language. He suggested it might be the only way some reporters operated. 'This is probably more the reason, but it's really hurting the team... when you are fighting for the championship, every single detail makes a difference. From the beginning of the weekend, we are just thinking about this. 'If it's their target to put the team in this situation, they reached their goal, but I think it's not like this that we'll be able to win a championship — and at least not with this kind of journalist around us.' The Frenchman said he knew what he was taking on when he became principal in 2023, and could handle it, but it was hard for employees with families to read that their positions might be at risk. Vasseur pointed out that Leclerc had a long-term contract, and repeatedly said he wanted to stay. 'Each single interview from the beginning of the season, he's saying that he wants to stay with Ferrari, he wants to win with Ferrari, his future is with Ferrari,' said the team boss. 'But every single Monday, we have articles saying that Charles will go next year. I don't know what we have to do.'
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Former F1 racer Warwick suspended as Canadian Grand Prix steward
MONTREAL: Formula One's governing body suspended former racer Derek Warwick as Canadian Grand Prix steward on Friday for unauthorised media comments about current drivers. The FIA did not specify what the 70-year-old Briton, who raced from 1981 to 1993, had said but media reports said Warwick had been quoted by a betting platform talking about the Spanish Grand Prix. Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen was handed three penalty points in Spain for a collision on June 1 with Mercedes George Russell, a sanction that left the Dutch driver one point away from a ban. "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," the governing body said in a statement. "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."
BBC News
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Canadian Grand Prix final practice before qualifying
Update: Date: 17:23 BST Title: FIA steward Warwick suspended for Canadian GP Content: Andrew BensonBBC F1 correspondent in Montreal Former grand prix driver Derek Warwick has been suspended from his role as a steward at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. Governing body the FIA said the decision had been made "following recent unauthorised media comments". It said he would be replaced by Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, who would be "officiating from the remote operations centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event". The FIA added: "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." Update: Date: 17:21 BST Title: McLaren woes? Content: It has not been the ideal weekend for McLaren so far. Lando Norris was trying out a new front suspension design and he said it was the "worst Friday of the year so far". However, the Brit managed to finish FP2 in the second spot behind Mercedes' George Russell. Update: Date: 17:19 BST Title: Leclerc back for FP3 Content: Charles Leclerc crashed his Ferrari early on in FP1. He did not take part in second practice, because of the damage and his chassis needing replacing. He is back for third practice and will need to play catch-up after missing the majority of Friday's sessions. "Most of all, I feel bad for the team, because we couldn't run for the rest of the first session and all of FP2. "Other than that, I felt comfortable in the car which was positive, so I don't think that what happened today should have any impact on the rest of the weekend for us," he told the Ferrari website. Update: Date: 17:18 BST Title: Who will go for pole? Content: Who will get pole later this evening in qualifying? Max Verstappen was fastest in first practice but struggled with his car in second practice. George Russell topped the leaderboard in the second session on the medium tyres. Now, those two lining up at the front would be a very interesting watch. All 20 drivers have one more practice session to get to grips with Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Update: Date: 17:15 BST Title: Welcome! Content: Hello everyone. Welcome to our coverage of third practice and qualifying of the Canadian Grand Prix! Lewis Hamilton arrived in style earlier today on a red motorbike. He'll need to swap out his bike helmet for his yellow F1 one. There is a session of practice to go before we turn our heads to qualifying. FP3 will begin in 15 minutes at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Lights out for qualifying is at 21:00 BST. Joining us for radio commentary are Harry Benjamin, McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson.
The Independent
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
F1 steward apologises for ‘ill-advised' comments
The FIA has suspended driver steward Derek Warwick from the Canadian Grand Prix due to recent unauthorised media comments. Warwick's suspension follows remarks circulated by a gambling platform after the Spanish Grand Prix, including comments on Max Verstappen 's penalty and Lewis Hamilton 's move to Ferrari. Warwick stated that Hamilton 'deserves that eighth world title' but suggested he might retire soon if current trends continue. Enrique Bernoldi, a former Arrows Formula One driver, will replace Warwick in Montreal, officiating from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva. The FIA stated that Warwick acknowledged his comments were 'ill-advised' and apologised; he will resume his duties at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
FIA suspend key figure ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix after his 'unauthorised comments' on Max Verstappen and George Russell
A Formula One steward has been suspended from his role ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix after making 'unauthorised' comments in the media. Derek Warwick, the former F1 driver, has been stood down for the race after delivering his verdict on an incident between Max Verstappen and George Russell. Last week, Warwick, 70, insisted the 10-second penalty given to Verstappen after he collided with Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix was 'right'. Speaking to a gambling website, he said: 'Should [Verstappen] have done what he did with George Russell in Turn 5? Absolutely not. Did he get a penalty for it? Yes. 'Some people argue that Sebastian Vettel received a 10-second drive-through penalty in Baku [in 2017] when he deliberately drove into Lewis Hamilton. 'But if you look at the video of Max, it looks to me like he dived in but then turned away from George – the momentum just carried him into him.' Warwick then added: 'I'm not condoning it, I'm not saying it was right. It was absolutely wrong. The FIA rightly gave him a penalty. Should it have been harsher? I actually think they got it about right. 'Many would say he should have received a race ban as a deterrent for young karting drivers, and they're probably right.' A statement from the FIA read: '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.' A former F1 driver is always one of the four stewards officiating at every grand prix and Warwick, a winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours, is one of the most senior officials. Warwick also gave his opinion on the struggles of Red Bull's second drivers and on Lewis Hamilton's difficult first season at Ferrari, saying his woes were an 'enigma'. Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle leapt to Warwick's defence on Saturday, writing 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 is one of the most senior FIA stewards and raced in F1 between 1981 and 1993 Warwick has been temporarily replaced by Enrique Bernoldi in Canada, who will officiate from the FIA's remote operations centre in Geneva this weekend. He is the second steward to be punished by the FIA for publicly commenting on a race. Johnny Herbert was dropped in January after the governing body said his 'duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible'.
