Red Bull team boss, Christian Horner has said that race stewards should not face being lobbied while investigating incidents.

The Briton's call follows Sunday's clash, when, ahead of the restart, Toto Wolff wanted to meet the stewards whilst they investigated the incident in order to argue his team's case.

The Austrian was seemingly reacting to the numerous messages sent by Horner to race director, Michael Masi calling on him to act on what he perceived to be a deliberate offence.

"I saw Toto, who was lobbying the stewards, I heard he was going there," said Horner, "so I went there to make sure our view was represented.

"I don't think it's right that team principals go up there to lobby the stewards," he added. "They should be locked away so they're not influenced, and for me that was unacceptable that he had gone up there to lobby the stewards.

"I wanted to make sure there was a balanced opinion given, rather than trying to influence pressure on the stewards to make a menial sentence.

"I don't think anyone should be allowed to see the stewards during the course of a Grand Prix," he insisted.

"I was told that there was a rant on the radio to Michael about all the badness in the world," responded Wolff, "so I went up and gave my opinion. I've been to the stewards many times."

"If we have an incident after the race we invite the teams and the drivers to come and appear before the stewards," said Masi, "that's one of the elements the stewards have.

"We had the case in Monza last year when Lewis went and spoke to the stewards to understand what happened and have a look at the whole picture.

"During the (race) suspension, that ability exists, so there's no reason not to," he concluded.

Let's face it, some of this silliness is more fun than the racing.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Editor, 22/07/2021 8:42

"@ Hobgoblin

In a word, yes

Indeed, I hear Liberty needs all the hlep it can get..."

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2. Posted by Hobgoblin, 22/07/2021 8:11

"Does anyone else think that the owners of F1 are encouraging this because there is no such thing as bad publicity?"

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3. Posted by Great_white_shark, 22/07/2021 2:53

"A bit rich coming from Horner when he and his team were constantly messaging the race director to tell him how "crossed" they were about this and how dangerous it was. Toto had no choice but to go find the stewards to present them their own document which exonerated Lewis because they couldn't look at his email. It is not about lobbying stewards or intimidating them but reminding them of their own rules. I understand that Red Bull and their fans wish they hadn't been reminded of the rules "

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4. Posted by C5, 22/07/2021 0:55

"@francisn Maybe it's daft. But I can't think of any other sport, where having a team official cornering the referees between halves/quarters/innings/heats/runs/whatever is considered acceptable and not likely to result in the dismissal of the team official from the competition on the spot and/or a subsequent ban. Why should motorsport be different?"

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5. Posted by Pavlo, 21/07/2021 21:36

"C5 - stewards should be trained to react properly. They should listen when team representative explains the facts, like provides evidence with telemetry, appeals to the paragraphs in the rules etc, but in case of any “unfair push” should immediately react with severe penalties just for offending the stewards."

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6. Posted by francisn, 21/07/2021 21:05

"So C5- it is quite normal for lobbying to take place after the race when penalties are being considered and applied retrospectively. So that also can have an outcome on the race result. Sure that could not happen while racing is in progress but when the race has been red flagged there is the opportunity for the stewards to examine all points of view. What exactly is wrong with that? The stewards can always say no and not listen, but your suggestion of sanctioning a team for trying is just daft."

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7. Posted by C5, 21/07/2021 19:59

"But lobbying on the radio, however, is perfectly fine? Absolutely, Toto, or anyone, going to the stewards during the race, whether stopped or not, is wrong and, frankly, unacceptable. Any such attempts should be instantly countered by the stewards issuing a sporting - not a financial - penalty. For example a 3 race revocation of all FIA credentials for the team manager of the offending team. But if there was ever a case of pot, meet kettle..."

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8. Posted by jcr, 21/07/2021 16:10

"HUSOI
Palmer ??
You Jest ??"

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9. Posted by husoi, 21/07/2021 15:32

"CH as the typical 2 faced muppet. can anyone recall his memory for previous races where his kid pushed others out of track????
Check Palmer's explanation on the race incident."

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Stewards must not be lobbied, says Horner

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