Steiner punished for Sochi steward outburst

Guenther Steiner has been fined €7,500 by stewards at the Japanese GP regarding comments made in the aftermath of the Russian Grand Prix last time out.

A penalty handed to Kevin Magnussen during the Sochi race for leaving the track and gaining an advantage left Steiner incensed.

Steiner said: "If we didn’t have a stupid idiotic Steward we would be eighth … You know who is the Steward. You know him. It is always the same. He just does not get any more intelligent."

Magnussen, for his part, called the decision "bullshit" after being classified ninth.

The stewards report read: "The affected radio communication as transmitted at the time is an insult to the Stewards of the event and calls into question both the skills and the integrity of those Stewards.

"Such statements harm the reputation of motorsport in general, the FIA in particular, and call into question the professionalism of the officials of the FIA.

"Since no penalties have been imposed on Mr. Steiner for similar behaviour in the past, a fine of the amount imposed is considered appropriate.

"However, in the event of future violations, it may become necessary to consider whether a team should be penalised, along with any individual involved, with harsher sanctions."

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