High-profile F1 driver steward axed for Canadian Grand Prix weekend

Former F1 driver Derek Warwick has been pulled from duty in Montreal following unauthorised media comments

Derek Warwick has been suspended from his duties as a steward for this weekend’s Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, after a number of controversial media interviews.

The 70-year-old, who has four grand prix podiums, was due to serve as one of the stewards in Montreal but will now sit out the weekend after the FIA decided to suspend Warwick.

In previous days, quotes attributed to Warwick circulated by a gambling firm have been picked up by a number of websites criticising several current drivers, including Lando Norris, Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda.

“Following recent unauthorised media comments, the FIA has taken the decision to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix,” an FIA statement read.

“He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, who will be officiating from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event.

“After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.”

Enrique Bernoldi

Photo by: James Bearne

Warwick becomes the second high-profile F1 steward to fall foul of providing syndicated quotes to a betting company this year.

Before the start of the 2025 season, Johnny Herbert’s comments led to him being no longer considered as a steward for grand prix racing events, having filled the role for some years.

There had been significant interest in Herbert’s FIA role since late 2024, when he was part of the stewards’ panel that twice penalised Red Bull driver Max Verstappen at the Mexican Grand Prix.

In partnership with a betting company, Herbert then commented on the decisions handed down by the body.

As well as his years in F1, Warwick also won the 1992 Le Mans 24 Hours and was crowned world sportscar champion in the same year.