F1 insists stewards not ignoring driver pleas on penalty points

Points hit the headlines in Russia when Lewis Hamilton gained two for his pre-race practice starts offences, temporarily putting him on 10 for the past year before they were revoked when it was accepted that Mercedes had contributed to Hamilton's infringement.

The affair triggered a debate about penalty points with drivers agreeing that they should only be given for safety matters.

F1's stewards operate from a "menu" of points allocations that are automatically triggered when drivers are found guilty of certain offences, while a driver who gains 12 in a calendar year will be subject to a one-race ban.

However in the Portuguese GP Lance Stroll, Daniil Kvyat and Romain Grosjean each earned a penalty point in addition to a time penalty for logging more than three track limits offences in the race.

Race Director Michael Masi insists the Algarve track limits points were not a sign the stewards have ignored the pleas to focus on safety issues.

"No, I don't think that is fair to say firstly [that drivers pleas had been ignored]," he said.

"Secondly, and this has been discussed with all of the drivers involved, is that at the start of each year the FIA and all of the team sporting directors actually sit down and review the penalty table, and the penalty guidelines that the stewards actually use, and generally come to a consensus on the penalties and the associated penalty points.

"And they get reviewed annually for their relevance overall.

"So from a team perspective, it's not a surprise, where penalty points are and aren't allocated. And we have discussed at drivers' meetings and said we will do the same review again for 2021.

"However, it's not something that we would change mid-year through the middle of a championship. No change, and the drivers have all been told there would be no change for the year, it would be bad governance."

Masi added the FIA is continuing to work on the controversial subject of track limits.

"The management of track limits is something that's been ongoing for a while," he said.

"I think there's been various solutions that have been looked at over time, be it the current day with loops, be it different types of kerbs, be it different types of run-offs. So it's not a simple solution.

"So is the solution that we have here and now ideal with timing loops? It's probably not ideal, but it's the best in the circumstances that we have. It seems to be doing the job quite well.

"And from a team perspective, you would certainly know the manner in which it has been applied is consistent to each and every car.

"And we have always said, we will only do it in such a manner, that it can be consistent and repeatable with every car going through.

"So it's an ongoing review of technology, physical solutions, whatever it may be."