Haas boss Steiner called to Japanese GP stewards for Sochi comments

Steiner spoke out over team radio after being left angry about a five-second time penalty that driver Kevin Magnussen was given for failing to observe track limits protocol at Turn 2 in Sochi.

Magnussen labelled the punishment 'bullshit', while Steiner blamed: "a stupid idiotic steward."

As Autosport revealed, Steiner's comments did not go down well at the FIA and there was the potential for him to face a charge for bringing the championship of the governing body into disrepute.

Under new rules introduced this season, stewards at grands prix are allowed to investigate events that have taken place at previous races - although in this case the matter has been handed to them by the Russian officials.

A statement issued by the FIA on Friday said: "The Stewards of the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix having received delegated authority from the Stewards of the 2019 Russian Grand Prix (as provided for under Article 11.9.3. t) under the FIA International Sporting Code), request Mr Gunther Steiner to report to the Stewards at 12:30 in relation to the incident below.

"Reason: Alleged breach of Articles 12.1.1 c) and f) FIA International Sporting Code by the Haas F1 Team at 15:49, through the means of radio communications immediately following the display of the chequered flag for the 2019 Russian Grand Prix."

Article 12.1.1.c states a rules breach is: "Any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally.

While Article 12.1.1.f says: "Any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers."

Should Steiner be found guilty then a whole host of options could be open to the stewards as a sanction including a financial penalty, a potential loss of world championship points for Haas or even a paddock ban.