Perez calls for end to rotating stewards' panel

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has called for an end to the FIA's merry-go-round of race stewards in F1.

The consistency of decisions and enforced penalties in 2021 left many in the paddock frustrated as drivers were often punished for a move one week before escaping freely the next.

A topic that emerged last season was the fact stewards are rotated from race to race rather than having a consistent panel to implement the rulebook.

Speaking during the lunch break on day one of pre-season testing in Barcelona, Perez explained that whilst the way races pan out will lead to inconsistencies in decision making, the sport could help minimise differences with a permanent panel.

"I think it is in the nature of our sport, it is not like football where everything is a lot clearer," he said.

"Here, every incident is very different and it is very hard for the stewards to make decisions. But as long as we can have consistency within the stewards, we have them more consistently at the races, the same people.

"We have to support the new race directors that come in. It obviously takes time but I think it is in the nature of our sport that there is always a debate in it, it is not as straightforward as other sports."

Perez takes to the wheel of the RB18 on day two of the test.

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