Guenther Steiner summoned by the stewards for his ‘laymen are judging our racers’ comment

Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner was summoned by the stewards at the Spanish Grand Prix after his comments targeted at them earlier this week.

Guenther Steiner summoned by the stewards for his ‘laymen are judging our racers’ comment

During the Monaco Grand Prix, Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg was handed a time penalty due to an opening lap incident with Williams’ Logan Sargeant. Haas Team Boss Guenther Steiner publicly displayed his disappointment towards the FIA’s decision regarding the penalty. The Italian’s ‘laymen’ comments, however, landed him in trouble with the stewards.

FIA summoned Steiner at the Spanish Grand Prix after he asked for more professionals, and not laymen, to be assigned for decision-making. “I don’t know what I’ve done this time. I think if I talk now, I’ll get the call a second time,” said Steiner after receiving a call from the stewards.

Guenther Steiner also further justified his comments claiming that his perspective is important and he will openly express his discontentment.  “I take these things seriously and I will tell them my opinion about it. Nico Hulkenberg, the penalty we got, I had an opinion on that. And obviously, I voiced it. That must be what it is about,” Steiner continued.

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Nico Hulkenberg was struck with a five-second time penalty at the Monaco Grand Prix for a collision with Logan Sargeant. Although, Guenther Steiner was adamant that there was no contact between the two drivers. After serving the initial penalty incorrectly, the German driver was given an additional 10-second penalty.

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Guenther Steiner to have allegedly breached the International Sporting Code

Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix; Image credit: TimesLive

The summon followed a report which included alleged breaches of articles of the International Sporting Code in a team media briefing at the Circuit de Catalunya on Thursday. The articles refer to acts that are deemed harmful to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport in general. Any words, deeds, or writings causing moral injury or loss to the FIA are included in this category.

Article 12.2.1.k also covers misdemeanours towards FIA officials.  The FIA summoned Steiner for actions that caused moral harm to the FIA, its bodies, members, or executives. The impact extends to motorsport’s interest and the values defended by the FIA.

The Haas team principal has supposedly disobeyed 2.2.1.c, 12.2.1.f and 12.2.1.k of the International Sporting Code.

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