Jos Verstappen makes FIA demand after Max controversy

Jos Verstappen has called on the FIA to “step up in terms of professionalism” following the recent controversy surrounding son Max.

Verstappen was involved in three separate incidents with Lando Norris during the United States and Mexico City Grands Prix.

In Austin, many felt Verstappen should have been handed a penalty for forcing Norris off-track late in the race, a move that saw the Englishman complete an overtake beyond the circuit limits and handed a five-second time penalty.

In Mexico, Verstappen was hit with two 10-second time penalties, initially for pushing Norris off-track again, and then for gaining a lasting advantage by overtaking his McLaren rival off-track and not handing back the position.

On reflection, even the three-time F1 champion suggested he overstepped the mark with the second incident, but felt his penalty for the first was harsh.

Father Jos feels it is now time for the FIA to employ permanent driver stewards, a call that has been aired by many of late, whilst he has also aimed another subtle dig at Johnny Herbert.

Herbert was one of the four stewards who oversaw the US and Mexico City GPs. His judgement and impartiality were called into question by Verstappen Sr after he later aired personal remarks against the Red Bull driver and his style of driving.

Herbert has since responded by insisting that he remains professional in the stewards’ room but is entitled to be a pundit beyond it.

“It’s about clarity, consistency and objectivity,” said Verstappen Sr, speaking to Formule 1.nl.

“You also shouldn’t put former Formula 1 drivers down as stewards, but people who understand racing, have knowledge of the rules and, more importantly, have more distance and no personal interests.”

Believing the FIA should follow the lead of other sports with its stewards, Verstappen Sr added: “If you have the same people every time you’re going to get the same decisions. That’s just better.

“The FIA needs to step up in terms of professionalism, and in that area, they are failing pretty badly for now.

“In soccer, you have FIFA referees, they receive training, courses and are paid well. The same should be done here.”