The debate over the Canadian GP stewards' decision to punish Sebastian Vettel for his mistake in Sunday's race will likely rage on for some time to come.
When a controversial call disrupts proceedings and adds a sense of injustice, emotions among the fans run high and blur the lines of rationality.
While racers certainly aren't void of fervor, their experience serves as a pretty good marker for judgment.
So after hearing from the main protagonists let's have a look at how a few past and present world champions and winners viewed Sunday's massive controversy through their posts on Twitter.
Unsurprisingly, there was a clear consensus among these great drivers on who was at fault in Montreal. And it wasn't the drivers...
1992 World Champion Nigel Mansell took no joy in the outcome of Sunday's proceedings
Very very https://t.co/CJcFu85l7f joy in watching this race ,two champions driving brilliantly,will end in a false result.
— Nigel Mansell CBE (@nigelmansell) June 9, 2019
Nothing but common sense here form living legend Mario Andretti
I think the function of the stewards is to penalize flagrantly unsafe moves not honest mistakes as result of hard racing. What happened at #CanadaGp is not acceptable at this level of our great sport. @F1
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) June 9, 2019
A nuanced opinion from 1996 World Champion Damon Hill who believes Vettel could have positioned himself better.
Thanks for all your votes. My personal view is that he could have left more room, but we lost a great final few laps because of the penalty. There was enough doubt to let them carry on. Remember Dijon! #f1 #Dijon
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) June 9, 2019
'Aussie Grit' alias Mark Webber questioned the merits of the stewards credentials.
Any of the stewards ever raced at the front in F1? Didn’t watch the race.. have now seen the “incident”.
Mental penalty. 🥴🧐— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) June 9, 2019
GPDA chairman Alex Wurz typically took a technical approach to Vettel's move
my observation on Vettel rejoining: his helmet moved to look into mirror only after steering correction! that he slid that far is laws of physics. No space for Lewis is name of game with street tracks. What happened to #LetThemRace ? Was it sketchy? yes! a penalty? not in my view
— alex wurz (@alex_wurz) June 9, 2019
Ex-F1 driver and three-times Le Mans winner Allan McNish, who is well acquainted with FIA steward Emanuele Pirro, said it was a "tough" call for Vettel.
Not really sure what VET could have done differently when rejoining....with the momentum he had he was always going to end up where he did....tough decision for VET. https://t.co/PVAFnPFdFm
— Allan McNish (@allanmcnish) June 9, 2019
And seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson lamented the presence of stewards in F1 altogether!
I’m glad we don’t have stewards in @nascar. #BS https://t.co/7IufOUi2vC
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) June 9, 2019
