Former F1 team principal Guenther Steiner revealed the reason why the team stopped them from attending FIA steward meetings for a period of time.

When talking about the 10-second penalty Oscar Piastri received in Brazil, Steiner was surprised that McLaren did not challenge the steward’s decision after the race.

Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner expressed, had it been one of his drivers, he would have approached the stewards after the race. Though he also revealed that the Haas F1 may have tried to stop him.

“I would have gone to the stewards. At one stage the team didn't let me go to the stewards anymore.

“They said ‘Guenther, you're not allowed to go’ because I got penalties and I had to pay fines.

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“And sooner or later, they all told me ‘your opinion doesn't help, it's how you speak to people.’  

“But then if they [the stewards] are doing something which I think it's wrong, I need to tell them, and they are just like ‘no, we think we are right.’

He added: “It's not an easy job and I was never wanting to be a steward, especially working for free.”

Criticism aimed at McLaren 

The stewards deemed Oscar Piastri responsible for a three-way incident on the safety car restart that involved both Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc.

Both Antonelli and Piastri continued on Leclerc was forced to retire from the race due to damage sustained to his wheel.

Antonelli, Leclerc and Piastri collide at turn 1 - Photo: Race Pictures

Steiner was shocked that McLaren did not go to the stewards after the race.  

“Why don't you go there and at least say something to the stewards?Even Charles Leclerc said it wasn't Oscar's fault.

“It’s three wide and it's the first lap. At some stage with all these rules and interpretations and 10 seconds instead of five and all that stuff, where does racing end?”

He then added: “I would have gone there and I think I would have flipped out. And then the guy who was taken out says ‘no, actually, Oscar is not at fault.”

Piastri went on to finish P5 in Brazil, while Antonelli secured a career-best P2 behind Lando Norris who extended his championship lead to 24 points.

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