Proving rather more eloquent in print than person, ITV pundit Mark Blundell has delivered an outspoken criticism of the stewarding in F1 after the Japanese GP was overshadowed by more controversial rulings.
After meting out drive-through penalties against both Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton during the race, the stewards then changed the result of the grand prix over an hour after the chequered flag by, to general incredulity, adding on 25 seconds to Sebastien Bourdais' time.
The rulings have left Blundell dumbfounded and demanding the introduction of professional stewards.
"I'm also bemused that those who sit in judgment have no understanding of what it is like to sit in an F1 car," he wrote in The Daily Telegraph. "What do these guys know who have never done it? They have no concept whatsoever.
"They have no experience of what you can and can't do in race situations, what you are and what you are not aware of on the circuit. In the 20 years I've been involved in F1 as a driver and spectator I don't think I've seen so many penalties in one season. It's political correctness gone mad.
"I understand the concern about safety but this is getting ridiculous. We might as well dig two grooves around each circuit, put two cars side by side like a Scalextric set and let someone control the action from the pits. The authorities are losing the plot."
The decision to penalise Bourdais - apparently in defiance of the pre-event instruction by Race Director Charlie Whiting that the car leaving the pits would have the right of way - made no sense to Blundell.
'No one will be able to explain to me what Sebastien Bourdais did wrong in Japan. He left the pit-lane after his second stop and was racing for position in the proper way.
'He was not a back marker, he was not being lapped. He did everything he could to avoid a collision with Felipe Massa. He stuck to the inside. Massa took it upon himself to go around the outside and in doing so put himself at risk and forced Bourdais up the kerb to try to avoid him.
'Bourdais' time penalty had no substance to it. He had made the perfect pit exit. He says that Massa showed a lack of respect to him and took an unnecessary risk. I agree.'
Source : Planet F1
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