The FIA has suspended Derek Warwick from his steward mission at the F1 Canada Grand Prix over “illegal media comments.”
Warwick was supposed to be part of Montreal’s steward panel in Round 10 of the 2025 Formula 1 season, but he was replaced by Enrique Bernoldi this weekend. Bernordi will be hosting from the FIA remote base in Geneva.
The Formula One Governing Body confirmed the suspension of Warwick on Friday evening, but said it would “resumes his duties as a steward” at the Austrian Grand Prix later this month.
“Following recent unauthorized media comments, the FIA has decided to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend,” the FIA said in a statement.
“He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, who will be hosting from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the rest of the event.”
The FIA added that Warwick “recognized and apologised for his comments that he was not wise in his role as a fierce steward.”
What did Warwick say?
The FIA did not specifically mention media comments, but is understood to be related to the interview Warwick gave to a betting platform that shared his views on the Spanish Grand Prix.
Warwick put pressure on the penalty handed out to Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
“Were he supposed to do what he did on turn 5 with George Russell? It’s definitely not. Had he been penalised for that? Yes,” Warwick said. “He scored 10 seconds and three points, which is just one point away from the race ban.
“So people claim that Vettel made a 10-second drive in Baku with Lewis Hamilton. But he purposely ran into Lewis. Meanwhile, when you actually watch the video, he dived away from George, but the momentum carried him to George.
“I’m not tolerating it, I’m not saying it’s right, it’s absolutely wrong, and the FIA gave him a penalty completely right.”
He added:
“You have to look at individual cases in your own merit. I thought it was very suspicious. That’s not what I want to see.”
Warwick also suggested that Lewis Hamilton might already be considering retiring after a tricky start to life at Ferrari.
Earlier this year, former Grand Prix driver Johnny Herbert dropped out of his role as a steward. Because after seeing his duties in his role, the FIA considered the duties of a media critic as “incompatible.”