Masi admits: "Another decision would have been better in that situation."

During the Steiermark Grand Prix the stewards made a decision that could count on a lot of criticism after the race. On the Red Bull Ring Lance Stroll and Daniel Ricciardo touched each other, causing both drivers to get off the track. In the end, no penalty was given. Michael Masi, F1 race leader, now indicates that this criticism is justified.

"After a discussion between the drivers and the FIA and with the knowledge of today, a change of positions would probably have been best in that situation", Masi says to RaceFans. The original decision of the stewards was not to take action, but Masi indicates that in an equivalent incident in the future, measures will follow.

Driver advice

"There's been some discussion between the stewards and we've looked at it in detail. During the drivers briefing we mentioned it again and the result was that better action should have been taken", Masi said. Stroll's move on Ricciardo looked a lot like Max Verstappen's overtaking on Charles Leclerc, a year earlier. But that wouldn't be a correct comparison.

The big difference was that Verstappen managed to keep his car on the track. Stroll shot himself off the track and took Ricciardo with him. Therefore Masi indicated that a similar incident would be punished in the future.