A decision by the Formula 1 stewards had a major bearing on who won the last race – as they did on several occasions last year.
But more often than not the stewards are required to rule on incidents which don’t even affect the points-scoring places.
How well do they judge the minor cases compared to the major ones? Have they made the right calls on the various racing incidents which attracted investigations so far this year? Here’s a look at each of them.
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Chinese Grand Prix: Sprint race
Doohan: Five-second penalty for collision with Bortoleto
The first incident to trigger a penalty this year didn’t occur until the final lap of the second race, when Jack Doohan made a last-ditch attempt to pass Gabriel Bortoleto’s Sauber. The stewards judged that under F1’s Driving Standards Guidelines, Doohan had not won the right to the corner and “should have backed off.”
Doohan’s penalty for colliding with Bortoleto was:
Far too lenient (0%)
Slightly too lenient (2%)
Correct (76%)
Slightly too harsh (15%)
Far too harsh (0%)
Total Voters: 41
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Lawson: No penalty for Doohan collision
The stewards chose to take no action over a similar incident at the same corner where Doohan was passed by Liam Lawson. The Red Bull driver made contact with the Alpine but the stewards ruled Lawson had won the right to the corner and Doohan should have left space for him.
Should either driver have been penalised for the Lawson-Doohan collision?
Strong penalty for Doohan (0%)
Moderate penalty for Doohan (6%)
No penalty for either driver (51%)
Moderate penalty for Lawson (34%)
Strong penalty for Lawson (0%)
Total Voters: 35
Loading …Chinese Grand Prix
Doohan: 10-second penalty for forcing Hadjar off
Doohan picked up his second penalty of the season in the main race at Shanghai. The stewards ruled he ran into Isack Hadjar while regaining his position from the Racing Bulls driver, forcing him off the track at turn 14.
The stewards chose not to investigate whether Doohan also changed his line too late while defending his position.
Should either driver have been penalised for the Lawson-Doohan collision?
Strong penalty for Doohan (0%)
Moderate penalty for Doohan (6%)
No penalty for either driver (51%)
Moderate penalty for Lawson (34%)
Strong penalty for Lawson (0%)
Total Voters: 35
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Bahrain Grand Prix
Sainz: 10-second time penalty for forcing Antonelli off the track
There was some confusion over Carlos Sainz Jnr’s penalty for his incident with Andrea Kimi Antonelli at turn 10 during the Bahrain Grand Prix. He was issued a 10-second time penalty during the race, which the stewards later incorrectly claimed he had not served, and therefore issued him a replacement penalty for the next race. That was quickly rescinded when they realised their mistake.
Sainz was unimpressed the stewards did not investigate Yuki Tsunoda for making contact with him at turn one, damaging his car so badly he had to retire.
Sainz’s penalty for his incident with Antonelli is…
Far too lenient (0%)
Slightly too lenient (2%)
Correct (46%)
Slightly too harsh (25%)
Far too harsh (25%)
Total Voters: 57
Loading …Lawson: Five-second time penalty for collision with Stroll
Lawson, now driving for Racing Bulls, collected his first of two penalties in the same race when he made light contact with Lance Stroll. The stewards noted the contact was minor, and accordingly gave him only a five-second penalty. Stroll went on to finish the race.
Lawson’s penalty for his incident with Stroll is…
Far too lenient (0%)
Slightly too lenient (4%)
Correct (46%)
Slightly too harsh (29%)
Far too harsh (13%)
Total Voters: 24
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Lawson: 10-second time penalty for collision with Hulkenberg
The stewards took a dimmer view of Lawson’s later collision with Nico Hulkenberg in the same race. The Sauber driver also saw the chequered flag, though was later disqualified due to excessive plank wear on his car.
Lawson’s penalty for his incident with Hulkenberg is…
Far too lenient (0%)
Slightly too lenient (8%)
Correct (48%)
Slightly too harsh (24%)
Far too harsh (12%)
Total Voters: 25
Loading …Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Tsunoda: No penalty for collision with Gasly
Tsunoda tangled with another rival in Jeddah, albeit more destructively. He and Pierre Gasly spun into the barriers on the first lap of the race, leading both to retire. The stewards ruled it “should be treated as a lap one incident with no further action.”
Should Tsunoda or Gasly be penalised for their first lap collision?
Strong penalty for Gasly (2%)
Light penalty for Gasly (4%)
No penalty for either driver (70%)
Light penalty for Tsunoda (17%)
Strong penalty for Tsunoda (6%)
Total Voters: 53
Loading …Verstappen: Five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage while overtaking Piastri
Undoubtedly the most controversial incident of the season so far, as it potentially decided the outcome of the race. Max Verstappen was given a five-second penalty for leaving the track in order to get ahead of Oscar Piastri at the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The stewards pointed out such an incident would ordinarily receive a 10-second time penalty, but reduced it as the incident occured on lap one.
Piastri said the penalty was correct and George Russell also indicated he felt Verstappen should not have kept the place he gained by going off.
Max Verstappen’s five-second penalty for his first-lap incident with Oscar Piastri was:
Far too lenient (17%)
Slightly too lenient (36%)
Correct (38%)
Slightly too harsh (5%)
Far too harsh (5%)
Total Voters: 151
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Lawson: 10-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage while overtaking Doohan
Lawson was penalised under the same rules as Verstappen later in the race and he received the tougher 10-second penalty. He passed Doohan as they approached turn one but failed to stay within the track limits at the corner.
Liam Lawson’s 10-second time penalty for his incident with Jack Doohan was:
Far too lenient (1%)
Slightly too lenient (0%)
Correct (54%)
Slightly too harsh (25%)
Far too harsh (17%)
Total Voters: 83
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