Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Autosport Plus
Opinion

Why F1’s inconvenient penalties have to stay

OPINION: Quibbles over the length of time taken by Formula 1's stewards over decisions are entirely valid. But however inconvenient it is, there can be no questioning the importance of having clearly defined rules that everyone understands and can stick to. Recent events have shown that ambiguity could have big consequences

Some penalties are inconvenient but necessary. Was it annoying that Formula 1 fans didn’t get to see Max Verstappen start alongside title rival Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix? Yes. Was his five-place grid penalty correct? Also yes.

There seems to be a feeling in some quarters that penalties should be overlooked for the entertainment factor, particularly with one of the most engaging F1 championship fights in years heading towards its climax. On the face of it, that sounds appealing – we all want to see the main protagonists battle it out on-track – but it’s a very flawed position.

Previous article The bold strategy behind Alonso’s F1 comeback podium
Next article McLaren: F1 triple-header points haul "painful"

More from Kevin Turner

Magazine: F1 Bahrain GP review, MotoGP and IndyCar previews

Magazine: F1 Bahrain GP review, MotoGP and IndyCar previews

MISC General
Magazine: F1 Bahrain GP review, MotoGP and IndyCar previews Magazine: F1 Bahrain GP review, MotoGP and IndyCar previews
Magazine: F1 2024 season preview special

Magazine: F1 2024 season preview special

MISC General
Magazine: F1 2024 season preview special Magazine: F1 2024 season preview special
Magazine: F1 pre-season testing and the big questions for the top teams

Magazine: F1 pre-season testing and the big questions for the top teams

MISC General
Magazine: F1 pre-season testing and the big questions for the top teams Magazine: F1 pre-season testing and the big questions for the top teams
Top 10: Ranking the greatest BTCC drivers of the Super Touring era

Top 10: Ranking the greatest BTCC drivers of the Super Touring era

BTCC BTCC
Top 10: Ranking the greatest BTCC drivers of the Super Touring era Top 10: Ranking the greatest BTCC drivers of the Super Touring era
Magazine: Aston Martin's plan to challenge Red Bull in F1 2024

Magazine: Aston Martin's plan to challenge Red Bull in F1 2024

MISC General
Magazine: Aston Martin's plan to challenge Red Bull in F1 2024 Magazine: Aston Martin's plan to challenge Red Bull in F1 2024
Top 10: Ranking the greatest BTCC drivers not to be champion

Top 10: Ranking the greatest BTCC drivers not to be champion

BTCC BTCC
Top 10: Ranking the greatest BTCC drivers not to be champion Top 10: Ranking the greatest BTCC drivers not to be champion
Magazine: Hamilton’s shock Ferrari F1 switch

Magazine: Hamilton’s shock Ferrari F1 switch

MISC General
Magazine: Hamilton’s shock Ferrari F1 switch Magazine: Hamilton’s shock Ferrari F1 switch
How the best and worst races of F1 2023 stacked up to 2022

How the best and worst races of F1 2023 stacked up to 2022

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
How the best and worst races of F1 2023 stacked up to 2022 How the best and worst races of F1 2023 stacked up to 2022

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe