Guenther Steiner, Haas, Bahrain International Circuit, 2023 pre-season test

Steiner reprimanded for calling Monaco Grand Prix stewards “laymen”

2023 Spanish Grand Prix

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Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has been given a formal reprimand after he was investigated by the stewards for comments he made to the media on Thursday.

Steiner was frustrated by a penalty his driver Nico Hulkenberg was given on the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix. He described F1’s rotating group of FIA-appointed stewards as “laymen” and said the series should have permanent staff who referee every race.

The stewards ruled he had violated article 12.2.1.k of the International Sporting Code which forbids “the use of language… which might reasonably be expected or be perceived to… cause offence, humiliation or to be inappropriate.”

They stated: “Mr Steiner’s word ‘laymen’ and his reference to other sports having ‘professional’ personnel could be, and indeed were, perceived to cause offence and in our view reasonably did cause offence not only to the stewards in Monaco but also to other FIA personnel and many motorsport volunteers.”

However the stewards accepted a statement made by Steiner during a hearing yesterday in which he apologised for his words and said he had “meant to refer to people who worked in a role as their profession and not that the stewards were acting unprofessionally.”

“Further Mr Steiner stated his reference to ‘laymen’ was meant to refer to people who worked occasionally and not meant to refer a lack of qualifications or specialisation,” they noted.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was given an official warning in 2021 when he called a marshal “rogue” for waving a yellow flag which led to Max Verstappen receiving a penalty.

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Stewards’ verdict on Steiner

1. Article 12.2.1.k refers to “misconduct” which is defined in the ISC as “..the use of language….which might reasonably be expected or be perceived to…cause offence, humiliation or to be inappropriate”.

2. Mr Steiner’s word “laymen” and his reference to other sports having “professional” personnel could be, and indeed were, perceived to cause offence and in our view reasonably did cause offence not only to the Stewards in Monaco but also to other FIA personnel and many motorsport volunteers.

3. However, the stewards accept Mr Steiner’s statement during the hearing, that his reference to professionalism was meant to refer to people who worked in a role as their profession and not that the Stewards were acting unprofessionally.

4. Further Mr Steiner stated his reference to “laymen” was meant to refer to people who worked occasionally and not meant to refer a lack of qualifications or specialisation.

5. Mr Steiner also freely apologised “if anyone was hurt by what I said or misunderstood what I said”. The stewards accept this apology.

6. Mr Steiner stated that if he had meant to insult or offend anyone he would have used much different words. The stewards do not dispute this.

7. The stewards note that any party has the right to disagree with any determination of the stewards of an event, however are strongly of the view that such disagreement should, and can, be expressed respectfully.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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9 comments on “Steiner reprimanded for calling Monaco Grand Prix stewards “laymen””

  1. Electroball76
    4th June 2023, 12:44

    And when I called them “a shower of &@£#s” I only meant to refer to the fact that they like to keep clean, I suppose, and therefore would probably, at some point, be taking a shower. Being as it a hot day and all. What?

  2. It somehow seems wrong that the same stewards that he is criticising are the ones who get to decide if he is penalised.

    “Who cops all the cops?”

    1. @gsimmonsonca They aren’t – only one of the stewards this weekend is the same as last weekend, and he recused himself.

      1. notagrumpyfan
        4th June 2023, 16:58

        Steiner was not referring to a specific member but to the whole institution.
        So they are indeed marking their own homework.

  3. “6. Mr Steiner stated that if he had meant to insult or offend anyone he would have used much different words. The stewards do not dispute this.” – steward’s verdict.
    I find this part utterly amusing.

    1. I love that comment. It’s very Steiner <3

    2. I know, right? They may be generally rubbish at stewarding, but this is quite excellent comedy by the FIA. It made my day.

  4. The fia should reject Mr Steiner’s apology in total, as he did not apologize for being sexist – referring to the stewards as “laymen” in stead of using the politically correct term; “laypersons”. Therefore his apology was not serious, but rather based on the fact that it was expected of him to apologize.
    /s

  5. Aren’t they though? Freedom of speech, in any case, comes before F1 for me.

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