Perez offers solution after Vettel walkout

Sam Hall
Wednesday 13 July 2022 10:10

Sergio Perez has urged his peers to continue to 'work together' with race direction for the good of F1, whilst also suggesting it is time for permanent stewards.

The relationship between the 20 drivers and the FIA race directors has steadily grown more fractious over this year following the appointment of Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas as replacements for Michael Masi who has now left the FIA.

The change was made after the controversial conclusion to last year's championship battle, although drivers also complained of growing inconsistency throughout that campaign.

Tensions escalated in Austria, however, with Grand Prix Drivers' Association [GPDA] director Sebastian Vettel walking out of the Friday briefing in frustration. He was later handed a suspended fine and accused of failing to be a role model.

Attempting to strike a balance between the two factions, Red Bull driver Perez said: “You have to give a bit of time to our new race directors. I will work together [with them], certainly.

"At the moment, there seems to be a lot of disagreeing but it is important for everyone in the sport to keep working together.”

A possible reason for the lack of consistency is the constant changing of faces in the stewards' room.

George Russell stated during the Austrian GP weekend that this means there is 'no accountability' for decisions.

Asked if he would support the appointment of a permanent or semi-permanent panel of stewards, Perez added: “That would be good to try to make some progress because every weekend you find different stewards.”

Additional reporting by Ian Parkes