A decision by the Formula 1 stewards had a major bearing on who won the last race – as they did on several occasions last year.

But more often than not the stewards are required to rule on incidents which don’t even affect the points-scoring places.

How well do they judge the minor cases compared to the major ones? Have they made the right calls on the various racing incidents which attracted investigations so far this year? Here’s a look at each of them.

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Chinese Grand Prix: Sprint race

Doohan: Five-second penalty for collision with Bortoleto

The first incident to trigger a penalty this year didn’t occur until the final lap of the second race, when Jack Doohan made a last-ditch attempt to pass Gabriel Bortoleto’s Sauber. The stewards judged that under F1’s Driving Standards Guidelines, Doohan had not won the right to the corner and “should have backed off.”

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Lawson: No penalty for Doohan collision

The stewards chose to take no action over a similar incident at the same corner where Doohan was passed by Liam Lawson. The Red Bull driver made contact with the Alpine but the stewards ruled Lawson had won the right to the corner and Doohan should have left space for him.

Chinese Grand Prix

Doohan: 10-second penalty for forcing Hadjar off

Doohan picked up his second penalty of the season in the main race at Shanghai. The stewards ruled he ran into Isack Hadjar while regaining his position from the Racing Bulls driver, forcing him off the track at turn 14.

The stewards chose not to investigate whether Doohan also changed his line too late while defending his position.

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Bahrain Grand Prix

Sainz: 10-second time penalty for forcing Antonelli off the track

There was some confusion over Carlos Sainz Jnr’s penalty for his incident with Andrea Kimi Antonelli at turn 10 during the Bahrain Grand Prix. He was issued a 10-second time penalty during the race, which the stewards later incorrectly claimed he had not served, and therefore issued him a replacement penalty for the next race. That was quickly rescinded when they realised their mistake.

Sainz was unimpressed the stewards did not investigate Yuki Tsunoda for making contact with him at turn one, damaging his car so badly he had to retire.

Lawson: Five-second time penalty for collision with Stroll

Lawson, now driving for Racing Bulls, collected his first of two penalties in the same race when he made light contact with Lance Stroll. The stewards noted the contact was minor, and accordingly gave him only a five-second penalty. Stroll went on to finish the race.

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Lawson: 10-second time penalty for collision with Hulkenberg

The stewards took a dimmer view of Lawson’s later collision with Nico Hulkenberg in the same race. The Sauber driver also saw the chequered flag, though was later disqualified due to excessive plank wear on his car.

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Tsunoda: No penalty for collision with Gasly

Tsunoda tangled with another rival in Jeddah, albeit more destructively. He and Pierre Gasly spun into the barriers on the first lap of the race, leading both to retire. The stewards ruled it “should be treated as a lap one incident with no further action.”

Verstappen: Five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage while overtaking Piastri

Undoubtedly the most controversial incident of the season so far, as it potentially decided the outcome of the race. Max Verstappen was given a five-second penalty for leaving the track in order to get ahead of Oscar Piastri at the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The stewards pointed out such an incident would ordinarily receive a 10-second time penalty, but reduced it as the incident occured on lap one.

Piastri said the penalty was correct and George Russell also indicated he felt Verstappen should not have kept the place he gained by going off.

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Lawson: 10-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage while overtaking Doohan

Lawson was penalised under the same rules as Verstappen later in the race and he received the tougher 10-second penalty. He passed Doohan as they approached turn one but failed to stay within the track limits at the corner.

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