Coulthard calls for permanent stewards

A number of drivers remain unhappy about the way that Sebastien Bourdais was penalised for colliding with Felipe Massa at the first corner in Fuji - and Coulthard believes the level of discontent about it is evidence that changes need to be made.

"The Bourdais/Massa situation I felt was racing, but the stewards at that particular situation apparently said to Bourdais that: you were leaving the pits so you had to give way," explained Coulthard. "I've never known any rule that says you have to give way when you leave the pits.

"You drive in a way that will not cause unnecessary contact, but you are racing. We are both racing for position.

"Drivers will give you one point of view, and I think everyone will agree that that one situation was a bit too harsh. But others will give you another point. The drivers' view on it, if in doubt, has to be the one that carries because we know what it is like to drive these grand prix cars.

"I would be uncomfortable making a call on somebody's move in a MotoGP or something like that. I have ridden a motorcycle but I don't know what it is to race one of them."

Coulthard thinks, however, that even if drivers are not appointed as stewards, that having permanent officials will at least allow officials to gain a better understandings of what is right and what is wrong.

"From my point of view - the best (situation) would always be to have the same people going from event to event," he said.

"One of the things that came out of Singapore was the particular steward there was asking Jarno (Trulli) why he didn't turn the car to the left (after he spun on the start-finish straight), why did he turn it to the right?

"As Jarno explained to him, and then explained to us in the meeting, F1 cars do not have the steering lock of a road car. You make a decision based on how much space you have got to do a spin turn.

"In those situations it is always going to be difficult if someone doesn't appreciate what it is to drive a grand prix car.

"Inevitably if you hang around any particular sport or business long enough, you will build up a feeling and an understanding. If you are changing the stewards every weekend then that is going to be a difficult situation."