Formula 1 demands the courage to take responsibility. The stewards in charge of the race have a monumental task at hand. They are the decisive force. Yet, their sense of duty leaves them shattered afterward in certain cases. Likewise, the steward at the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix felt devastated after handing a five-second penalty to Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel was en route to victory. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, the German got caught in an illegal maneuver and was handed a penalty. Emanuele Pirro, one of the F1 stewards at the time, opened up on the tough decision he had to make and how it taxed his conscience.
“My sense of straightforwardness and honesty goes beyond the people I like and don’t like. And this is helping me also to operate as a steward. Because I have sympathies, for instance, when we go back to Canada when we had to penalize Sebastian Vettel for what he did, five seconds: I wanted him to win so badly, because I felt so sorry for him, and I felt he deserved it. But my sense of responsibility is stronger than that.” remarked the steward on the F1 Nation Podcast
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Sebastian Vettel will do better at Aston Martin Racing Point believes F1 steward
Often people in power have to take a decision that they do not like. But, they have to stand up to the occasion and push their personal feelings aside. No matter how hard it may sound, a sense of responsibility will always take precedence over a grand scheme of things. Similarly, Pirro’s sense of responsibility forbade him from being biased with Sebastian Vettel.
Emanuele Pirro is no exception to the thought revolving around Vettel’s current form. Like any other experienced entity on grid, he understands that the German is going through a rough patch. It is natural for any sports person to go through this phase. However, the backlash that Vettel receives is abnormal.
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“When you see, for instance, Sebastian Vettel, who is really one of the greatest, and has done amazing races. He has won at least two of his championships at the last round, where the pressure was at its highest and recently, what he did doesn’t belong in his repertoire of what he can do. So to me, this is a sign of not really feeling comfortable.” said Pirro
Like everyone, Pirro believes that Sebastian will be better off with a fresh start at Aston Martin Racing Point. However, the uncertainty in the world of motorsport is colossal. Therefore, everything is subject to change.
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