The FIA has responded after accusations from Franco Colapinto’s sponsor, who believes the stewards are “killing the integrity of F1”.
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The controversy surrounding the penalties given to Franco Colapinto at the Dutch Grand Prix continues to make headlines. After criticism from the Alpine driver and Arvid Lindblad, one of the Argentine’s main sponsors has strongly attacked the FIA stewards.
Sean Summers, marketing director of Mercado Libre, accused the stewards of directly harming the integrity of Formula 1. Strong enough words to push the FIA to issue an official statement after the Zandvoort weekend.
However, the governing body did not directly address the validity of the sporting decisions. It preferred to denounce the attacks and online abuse its stewards were targeted with after the race.
Colapinto heavily penalized at Zandvoort
The controversy originates from the particularly chaotic first lap of the Dutch Grand Prix. After the violent accident of Max Verstappen and Gabriel Bortoleto’s spin in the last corner, yellow flags were deployed.
Colapinto then overtook Yuki Tsunoda under yellow flag conditions. The stewards penalized the Alpine driver with a drive-through and two penalty points on his super license.
The Argentine then received an additional penalty point for not slowing down enough under yellow flags during another incident later in the race.
Colapinto did not hide his confusion after the event. According to him, the penalties were particularly harsh given the circumstances, and braking sharply could have even created a more dangerous situation.
Arvid Lindblad, also penalized after overtaking Pierre Gasly under yellow flags on the first lap, expressed similar frustration. The Racing Bulls driver felt the stewards might have been more focused on setting a precedent than judging only the specific circumstances of the incident.
Colapinto’s sponsor fiercely attacks the FIA
The controversy took another dimension when Sean Summers, marketing director of Mercado Libre, one of Colapinto’s main sponsors, reacted publicly on X.
His message was not limited to contesting the stewards’ decision. Summers directly questioned their competence and integrity.
“The FIA stewards are killing the integrity of F1.”
He then continued his attack by stating that the decisions made this season have a direct influence on race results.
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“This season, they are showing that they are horrible and that they influence race results. Incompetence? Dishonesty? Both? Something is seriously wrong in the culture of this organization.”
These particularly serious accusations quickly sparked reactions and to which the FIA has now officially responded.
The FIA condemns attacks against its stewards
In its statement, the International Automobile Federation does not respond point by point to the accusations made by Summers. However, it insists on the online abuse suffered by the stewards after the Dutch Grand Prix.
“After the Dutch Grand Prix, FIA stewards were the target of online abuse after applying sporting sanctions in accordance with FIA regulations.”
The body also recalls the existence of its coalition United Against Online Abuse, created to fight harassment targeting various motorsport actors.
“The United Against Online Abuse coalition condemns all forms of abuse and harassment. Disagreement with decisions is part of the sport, but it should never justify threats or personal attacks.”
The FIA recalls that this initiative was precisely launched in 2023 after a steward was personally targeted following the United States Grand Prix.
The FIA does not directly respond to the accusations
The Federation’s response nevertheless leaves aside an important part of the controversy. Its statement condemns personal attacks and harassment but does not directly respond to the accusations of incompetence or dishonesty made by Summers.
The FIA concludes its intervention by calling on all people who follow Formula 1 to maintain a respectful attitude, including when contesting stewards’ decisions.
“We ask everyone interacting with our sport to do so with respect and responsibility, both online and offline.”
The sporting controversy therefore remains intact. Colapinto and Lindblad still consider their penalties excessively harsh, while the FIA defends the regulatory framework applied by its stewards and draws a clear red line regarding personal attacks they may face.
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