Formula 1 legend Damon Hill has erupted in fury over what he perceives as the sport's governing body's baffling inconsistency, leaping to the defence of reigning champion Max Verstappen and lambasting a 'ridiculous' penalty for AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda.
The 1996 World Champion's explosive comments come after a dramatic Italian Grand Prix at the iconic Monza circuit, where officiating decisions once again found themselves in the spotlight.
Hill's Scathing Attack on FIA Inconsistency
Hill did not mince his words when discussing the current state of F1 stewarding. The Sky Sports F1 pundit expressed sheer exasperation at the perceived lack of clarity and consistency in the application of the rules, a growing concern amongst teams, drivers, and fans alike.
'It just seems ridiculous that we are so inconsistent with our decision-making,' Hill stated emphatically. His critique highlights a deepening frustration within the F1 community, where similar on-track incidents often appear to yield wildly different outcomes from the race stewards.
The Tsunoda Incident: A Penalty Too Far?
The flashpoint for Hill's outrage was a three-place grid penalty handed to Yuki Tsunoda for allegedly impeding Lewis Hamilton during a qualifying session. For Hill, the punishment was utterly disproportionate to the crime.
He vehemently defended the Japanese driver, arguing that the Monza circuit's unique layout, with its notoriously poor visibility around blind corners, makes avoiding impeding incredibly challenging. To penalise a driver for such a circumstance, Hill argued, is fundamentally unfair and fails to account for the practical realities of racing at the temple of speed.
Verstappen Vindicated: Hill's Defence of the Champion
In a parallel defence, Hill also absolved Max Verstappen of any wrongdoing after the Red Bull driver was investigated for a similar alleged impeding incident involving McLaren's Lando Norris. The stewards ultimately took no further action against Verstappen.
Hill firmly agreed with this decision, pointing out that Verstappen, like Tsunoda, was severely compromised by the circuit's layout and a lack of clear communication from his team. The key difference, Hill implied, was in the stewards' interpretation, branding the contrasting outcomes as a prime example of the inconsistency plaguing the sport.
A Call for Change at the Top
Beyond criticising individual decisions, Hill's comments strike at the heart of a broader issue. His outburst is a powerful indictment of the FIA's stewarding process, echoing a sentiment felt up and down the paddock.
The call for greater transparency, clearer guidelines, and most importantly, unwavering consistency from race to race is growing louder. As the season progresses, the pressure will mount on the sport's governing body to address these concerns and ensure the championship battles are decided on the track, not in the stewards' room.
