Formula 1 Drivers Call For Steward System Overhaul

Leading Formula One drivers have joined calls for a change to the stewards system following the controversial penalties handed out at the Japanese Grand Prix.

And several drivers have shown support for the the idea of using former racers to help with stewarding.

"Personally there are some times when I believe the penalties are unfair," Toyota driver Jarno Trulli told autosport.com in China.

"I always say that we should try to get a driver, a professional driver, inside the stewards because they have no idea about racing.

"This is the truth. They can imagine somehow, but they have no idea in the end. A driver can give them a much better picture of the situation.

"A driver view will certainly improve the situation and will probably be more consistent. I am not saying it will be right, in this world you will always find people who will agree and people who will not agree, whatever.

"Even if you do the right thing you will split thing in two, but I think a driver will provide a better picture and a more consistent judgement."

Red Bull's Mark Webber admitted he was shocked by the penalty given to Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais at Fuji.

"I think it was a surprise how many drive-throughs were dished out, even Felipe, so that day they just liked dishing them out. Which was a bit odd," Webber said.

"It (Bourdais' penalty) is a real shock for everyone. We are on the racing track and racing around Turn 1. The trajectory is different which is what made the speed difference so high.

"Bourdais had gone around the corner the best he can given the compromise line he has had going into there, as you do in Singapore, it is tight on the way in, as it is in Melbourne. You are pinched onto the apex and the guys are coming from a higher line so will have a different trajectory and speed."

Honda's Jenson Button also believes an experienced driver would be a big help for he stewards.

"We need someone with experience," he said. "I think the stewards do a good job, but having an experienced driver on board would help, but not one from 15 to 20 years ago because so much has changed.

"We need someone who has been involved in the sport and knows about this problem of going off the circuit and coming back on."

Fernando Alonso added: "I think it's a good idea to have an ex-driver to help them because sometimes the decisions they make, it's difficult to know from the outside if you have never driven a Formula One car.

"What would help for the drivers would be a consistency in the penalties - if one time you do something and you get penalised, it is not possible that the next time you do the same thing you get no penalty.

"We ask for a little bit more consistency with the penalties even if they are very harsh or not."