Derek Warwick has been pulled from stewarding duties for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix after taking part in an interview with a gambling firm. The decision, made just ahead of the Montreal event, signals a renewed crackdown on the boundary between media presence and race control credibility.
Warwick, a long-time FIA steward and former grand prix podium finisher, had been due to officiate in person at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. But after publicly commenting on several active drivers and penalties in a promotional interview, the FIA stepped in.
He’s since been replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, who is fulfilling the role remotely from the FIA’s Geneva operations centre.
A Line the FIA Won’t Let Blur
The issue wasn’t necessarily what Warwick said — but when, where, and in what capacity. His remarks included references to Max Verstappen’s recent time penalty in Spain and speculative commentary on Lewis Hamilton’s mindset and future direction. Standard fare for a pundit. Far less acceptable for someone about to serve as a race steward.
The FIA has made its position increasingly clear: if you’re involved in official decision-making, public-facing media work that could be seen as biased or compromising isn’t going to fly. Particularly not when it’s tied to a gambling outlet.
The interview formed part of a betting-led content campaign and was distributed widely across social platforms — adding to the perception problem. In a sport where integrity is policed down to the millisecond, even a slight conflict of interest draws attention.
Internal Apology, Quiet Return Expected
Warwick is understood to have accepted the FIA’s decision and issued an internal apology. There’s no indication of a long-term fallout — he’s expected to return for the Austrian Grand Prix later this month.
But the situation places him in the same category as Johnny Herbert, another former F1 driver removed from stewarding rotations earlier this season over similar concerns. Herbert’s involvement in commercial media projects, including his presence on platforms with betting partners, drew quiet internal criticism and ultimately sidelined his return.
A Growing Tension Inside the FIA
What’s becoming clear is that the stewarding model is under pressure. Many of the FIA’s rotating stewards are respected ex-drivers — but most are unpaid outside of travel and accommodation. The majority also work with brands, appear in media, and — increasingly — take part in monetised content.
That puts the FIA in a tight spot: you want experienced people in the room, but you also need them to appear neutral. And neutrality’s hard to maintain when your quotes are being clipped and pushed across social media by betting sites.
There’s no easy fix — but the FIA’s reaction in Canada shows it’s willing to act fast when that balance gets disrupted.
Coffee Corner Take
This isn’t the first time an FIA steward has stepped over the line — but it is one of the clearest messages yet. Warwick gave an honest interview, but the timing and platform raised real questions. Once gambling links get involved, the optics get messy fast.
There’s a fine line between insight and influence. Warwick wasn’t dragged for drama — he was removed to protect the system. In today’s hyper-analysed F1, that kind of neutrality isn’t optional — it’s survival.
As F1’s reach continues to grow, so does the scrutiny around those enforcing the rules. And whether you’re waving the flag or calling the penalties, your credibility now matters just as much as the call itself.
It also makes the calls for the FIA to introduce paid professional Stewards louder.