FIA responds to criticism following appointment of Petrov as steward

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14:47, 24 Oct 2020

The FIA has reacted to the controversial decision to appoint Vitaly Petrov as steward this weekend. The Russian is a subject of discussion because of homophobic statements made by him in the past.

Renault's former racing driver was appointed steward this weekend, but this appointment has been the subject of a lot of criticism. When Lewis Hamilton appeared on the podium with a controversial T-shirt a couple of weeks ago, he said: "If a driver comes out as gay, will he come out with a rainbow flag and force other drivers to become gay too?

FIA responds

Hamilton and many others felt that this statement could not be made and voiced their criticism, even now that Petrov has been appointed steward for the Portuguese Grand Prix. The FIA responds to that criticism as follows: "The FIA appoints driver stewards with relevant Formula 1 experience and expertise to carry out this function at the highest level and who have shown an interest in being a steward with the FIA".

The FIA continues: "The Association does not discriminate in this process on the basis of views expressed outside their function as FIA stewards, provided that such expression is not contrary to FIA regulations and the FIA Code of Ethics".

Philip Duncan

@PhilDuncanF1

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(1/2) FIA respond to hiring Vitaly Petrov as a steward for the #PortugueseGP: "The FIA appoints driver stewards with the relevant Formula One experience and expertise to carry out this function at the highest level and who have expressed an interest to the FIA in being a steward.

11:40 AM · Oct 24, 2020

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Philip Duncan

@PhilDuncanF1

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Replying to @PhilDuncanF1

(2/2) "The Federation does not discriminate in this process based upon views expressed outside of their function as an FIA Steward, provided that any such expression does not contravene the FIA's regulations and Code of Ethics." #PortugueseGP #F1

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	131
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	88
3	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	75
4	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	72
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	58
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	48
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	43
8	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	20
9	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	16
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	15
12	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	14
13	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
14	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	5
15	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	1
17	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	1
18	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
19	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
20	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
21	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0

FIA responds to criticism following appointment of Petrov as steward

FIA responds

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