Hamilton Asks F1 Steward To Be Neutral, Not Close To Certain Drivers

JAKARTA - Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has asked Formula 1 to bring in a steward who has no bias. He said the friendship between them and certain drivers had influenced the decision-making.

The Briton, who admitted to losing faith in the sport's governance following a controversial decision to restart the safety car in Abu Dhabi last year that won him an eighth world title, did not name any specific stewards or drivers.

He also did not mention any incidents where biased decisions had affected him.

"The drivers, some of them are very good friends with some individuals, some travel with them and tend to like some of them," the 37-year-old Briton said at the opening press conference for the F1 pre-season test session in Barcelona.

"So I think (F1 should appoint) a fair person... who has no bias and is very central when it comes to decisions," Hamilton said, adding he would also like to see women's representation among race supervisors.

Racing in F1 is overseen by a rotating panel of stewards who are responsible for regulating the course of the race, making decisions when incidents occur, including awarding penalties to drivers who commit offences.

The safety car restart in Abu Dhabi was the decision of race director Michael Masi, who has been replaced following an investigation by F1 and part of a major overhaul of the refeering process unveiled by new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem last week.

However, a number of complaints have arisen regarding the inconsistency of the stewards in applying the rules, especially when drivers are involved in tight battles, such as when Hamilton fought Max Verstappen several times last season which caused the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff wants professionalism in the steward's room.

"I don't think there's any intentional bias, in my opinion," Wolff said.

"There shouldn't be much room for interpretation of the rules."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner agreed, "You have very complicated regulations which then gives room for interpretation.

"So what you need are rules that are easier to enforce."