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Huff calls for introduction of driver steward in WTCC

Honda driver Rob Huff has called for the introduction of the driver steward in the World Touring Car Championship, following a controversial incident in the main race at the Hungaroring.

Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC

Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC

FIA WTCC

Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC
Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC
Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC
Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC
Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC
Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS, Honda Civic WTCC
Fredrik Ekblom, Polestar Cyan Racing and Rob Huff, Honda Racing Team JAS

The 2012 champion received a drive-through penalty for an incident with Citroen's Yvan Muller on lap 10, which both drivers laid the blame on the opposite party for.

Sebastien Loeb Racing's Mehdi Bennani also received a drive-through penalty for contact with Honda's Tiago Monteiro on the opening lap.

Incidentally, there was also more contact during the first few corners, but those received no action by the officials, to Huff's chagrin.

"More severe incidents were ignored, the Hungary race demonstrates a need for consistent stewarding," said Huff.

"A lot of stewards have never sat in a racing car and it was some five years ago that the WTCC drivers placed ex-professional racer, John Cleland, in the panel to ensure fairness.

"Driver stewards are now a thing of the past in the WTCC, but it’s something we should have as an FIA World Championship, because it’s crazy when you have countless outraged fans failing to understand penalties and calling to question the competence of the decision-makers."

Driving standards advisor

Huff's comments refer to the introduction of a driving standards advisor in 2012, following similar criticism levelled late in the 2011 season.

Two-time British Touring Car champion Cleland fulfilled the role for the most part during 2012 and 2013 alongside a number of other touring car veterans, but the role has become irregular since 2014.

Unlike in Formula 1, the role was not as a fourth steward, but a stewards' advisor, with the three-person panel of stewards still responsible for the application of the FIA's sporting regulations.

Neil Hudson/TouringCarTimes

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