Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle has promised to support Derek Warwick ‘until my last breath’ after the FIA steward was suspended.
On Friday, motorsport’s governing body announced that Warwick had been stood down from his role as a steward for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
Earlier in the week, the former Formula 1 driver gave an interview to Plejmo in which he discussed a wide range of topics including Max Verstappen’s controversial crash with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
‘Following recent unauthorised media comments, the FIA has taken the decision to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix,’ a statement read.
‘He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi who will be officiating from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event.
‘After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.’
The FIA have been looking to clamp down on officials giving interviews like Warwick did, with Johnny Herbert notably sacked from his role in January.
The three-time F1 race winner publicly criticised Verstappen’s driving at last year’s Mexico City Grand Prix – a race he had been a steward for – with the FIA saying Herbert’s ‘duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible’.
This latest incident has seen Warwick criticised by fans, leading to Brundle, who raced against his fellow Brit in the 1980s and 1990s, leaping to his defence.
‘Derek Warwick is one of the most genuine and passionate people and racers I have ever known,’ Brundle wrote on Twitter.
‘He is a salt of the earth genuine guy. He’s done so much for young racers and motorsport in general. Not least as an FIA Steward.
‘He has my absolute support and friendship until my last breath.’
Who is Derek Warwick?
Derek Warwick raced in Formula 1 from 1980 to 1991, before briefly returning in 1993, recording four podium finishes.
He notably won the World Sportscar Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1992 before retiring from racing in 2007.
He became an F1 driver steward in 2010, with the role of advising other stewards on incidents from a driver’s perspective. He was a steward at the Miami Grand Prix in May and is slated to work at seven more races in 2025.
What did Derek Warwick say that got him suspended?
It is not the content of what Derek Warwick said that has lead to his suspension but rather that the interview was not authorised by the FIA.
Touching on a number of topics, here is a snippet of the interview via Plejmo:
On Max Verstappen and George Russell’s crash: ‘I can see why Max got angry, because I think he thought he was hard done by with Charles [Leclerc] on the straight and I think he thought he was hard done by George.
‘Should he have done what he did, in turn 5 with George? Absolutely not. Did he get a penalty for it? Yes.
‘He got 10 seconds and 3 points, which only brings him 1 point away from a race ban. Should it have been harsher? I think they got it about right actually.’
On if Verstappen will leave Red Bull: ‘Well obviously he’s talking to every team, but when you say every team, that’s only really McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, and maybe Aston Martin
‘Aston would be a big gamble, but they do have Adrian Newey there. I think the big, big paycheck would come from Aston Martin if that’s what he’s interested in. I think at the end of the day he’ll stay at Red Bull.’
On Lewis Hamilton’s struggles: I don’t know why Lewis Hamilton can’t get going in a Ferrari. I think that’s an enigma really. I think people underestimate, including Lewis, maybe how difficult it is to join a new team.
‘Do I want Lewis to win races and challenge for the World Championship? Yes. I think he deserves it. I think he deserves that 8th world title.’
On the 2025 title fight: ‘I think Oscar Piastri is the complete deal, and I think he’s got on top of that car.
‘I think Lando Norris needs to change a few things, mentally, in order not to make these silly mistakes. If he does then for sure Lando can be world champion, but it will either be Lando or Oscar.’
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