Günter Steiner has come to the protection of Hiroki Tsunoda, who triggered controversy through the closing race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Tsunoda’s closing act as a Purple Bull driver was a last-ditch try and cease McLaren’s Lando Norris in a last-ditch try to assist teammate Max Verstappen’s fading title hopes.
Norris wanted to clear visitors jams earlier than clinching a third-place end worthy of F1’s new world champion, and confronted a thorny rival within the type of Tsunoda’s Purple Bull.
Tsunoda weaved and broke off the tow and veered to the left on the lengthy again straight, however was unable to cease Norris from passing, and Norris accomplished the transfer with all 4 wheels off the observe.
The incident was investigated by the stewards, who cleared Norris however gave Tsunoda a five-second time penalty for “altering course a number of instances to guard place.”
Nonetheless, former Haas boss Steiner felt the punishment was pointless.
“So clearly they deserve one other struggle as a result of brake-on journey is a pattern in Abu Dhabi,” Steiner quipped on the Purple Flag podcast.
“Nothing ought to occur. That is racing. That is what we wish to see, that is what the spectators, the followers wish to see…We do not wish to see stewards acquire public recognition by issuing fines and attracting consideration.
“No, this was honest. It was a race. I feel Yuki had a restrict to what he may do. Lando had a restrict to it as nicely. The whole lot went nicely. It gave us a great second of the race.”
“I preserve saying, if he stops doing all this stuff, I can say, who the fuck goes to look at the races? They do not perceive that as a result of they wish to be seen as stewards, and since they did it with Yuki, the opposite two needed to do it too.
“It is a lengthy straight, the toe is off. There was no braking, it wasn’t brutal, and Lando took a danger on the skin. Lando would have handed him on the subsequent lap, however he was assured. That is what we wish to see within the race.”
Tsunoda’s actions have been criticized by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown throughout Sky Sports activities F1’s broadcast of the race.
“I feel it was clearly the proper choice. It was a harmful and pointless transfer,” Brown mentioned.
“It is a workforce sport so I am not stunned that the second automobile helps, however there must be a restrict.
“They’re not driving vehicles, so I feel they should give Yuki a trip to get them over the road.
“That was a harmful operation, however we’re okay now.”
Norris finally clinched the title by two factors over Verstappen, who scored his eighth win of the season at Yas Marina.
