Warwick suspended from his duties as a steward for the rest of the Canadian Grand Prix

Formula Formula One driver Derek Warwick has been suspended from his duties as a steward for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix after a number of controversial media interviews.

Warwick was due to serve as one of the stewards at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, but it has now emerged that he will sit out the weekend after the FIA decided to suspend Warwick.

Derek Warwick competed in Formula One between 1981 and 1993, securing a total of four podium places and recording two fastest race laps. In endurance racing, Warwick won the World Sportscar Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans, both in 1992 with Peugeot.

In 2005 and 2006 he raced in the inaugural season of the Grand Prix Masters formula for retired Formula One drivers. He has served as the fourth steward for three Grands Prix in 2010 and 2011, and has has continued to work in this work since then.

However, the FIA issued a statement, confirming that Warwick has been suspended from his duties as a steward for this weekend’s Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix after a number of controversial media interviews.

In previous days, quotes attributed to 70-year-old ex-driver circulated by a gambling firm have been picked up by a number of websites, criticising several current drivers including Lance Stroll, Yuki Tsunoda and Lando Norris.

A statement from the FIA read: "Following recent unauthorised media comments, the FIA has taken the decision to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

"He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi who will be officiating from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event.

"After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix."