As stewards, they claim not to inflict pain on drivers. Instead, they aim to provide a level playing field. This sentiment was emphasized after a rare meeting between stewards and drivers in Qatar. But how long can this harmony last? It's a question that remains unanswered.

Unraveling the FIA Stewards' Decisions in F1

Stewards' Intention vs. Drivers' Perception

The FIA's chairman of Formula 1 stewards, Garry Connelly, insisted that their role is not to be against the drivers. They are here to ensure a fair competition. However, recent contentious decisions have raised doubts. Max Verstappen's one-place grid penalty for 'driving unnecessarily slowly' in front of George Russell is a prime example. It just so happened to hand pole position to the driver he was accused of impeding, amplifying his disgust.This incident shows the fine line between the stewards' intention and the drivers' perception. While the stewards believe they are maintaining the integrity of the race, the drivers often feel that they are being targeted. This tension between the two parties has been a recurring theme in the F1 season.

The Start of the Race: Verstappen's Dominance

Starting on the unfancied right side of the grid against a driver with a perfect record of converting poles into the lead, Verstappen faced a tough challenge. But when the lights went out, the Red Bull jumped off the line with pure spite. Russell failed to cut across to block Verstappen, who promptly claimed the inside line. By braking deeper and easing Russell wider, Verstappen robbed him of a chance to come back inside at turn two. This left a McLaren-sized space for Lando Norris to fill, but Verstappen still had the superior position heading into turn two and swept around to take the lead.This early dominance set the tone for the race. Verstappen was able to pull out an advantage over Norris, who remained within two seconds of the leader throughout the race. Their battle for the lead became one of the highlights of the race.

The Safety Car Incidents and Their Consequences

The race was interrupted multiple times due to safety car incidents. On lap 25, Pirelli's pre-race prediction that the mediums would last until around lap 20 proved wrong. Only two of the 19 medium-shod cars had changed rubber. Then, on lap 29, Alexander Albon's lost mirror caused a hazard on the track. Verstappen lifted off the throttle as he passed the seen, fulfilling his obligations. But Norris gained time thanks to Bottas's lapped Sauber and DRS.Later, Bottas pulling to the middle of the circuit to obey blue flags for Leclerc behind him brought more debris onto the track. This led to the second deployment of the safety car. Red Bull pitted their leading driver Verstappen and switched to the hard tyres. The race became a game of strategy and restarting.

The Penalty and the End of the Race

On lap 44, the stewards handed Norris a ten-second stop-go penalty for failing to lift under the double yellow flags on lap 30. This decision stunned McLaren and ended the brewing fight for victory between Verstappen and Norris. Norris was forced to pit and fell to the rear of the field.Verstappen could now relax out front and complete the 57th and final lap to take his ninth win of his fourth world championship season. Leclerc came home second, securing a crucial podium for Ferrari. Piastri had 'won' the sprint race but was affected by the safety car incidents. Russell kept fourth place despite a five-second time penalty.The 2024 Qatar Grand Prix was a rollercoaster of events, with the stewards' decisions playing a significant role in shaping the outcome of the race.