Important for F1 to be more consistent applying penalties - Coulthard

In his ITV column, Red Bull driver David Coulthard has called for more consistency when applying punishments. The Scot was left surprised after the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend and the funny punishment for Fernando Alonso and the McLaren Mercedes Team.

Coulthard wrote: "Like many others in the pitlane I am first and foremost a fan of the sport, so I was just as fascinated as you guys by the developing rivalry between Alonso and Hamilton after qualifying in Hungary. But a number of us inside F1 circles were also left wondering how the stewards came to decide on the punishment meted out to Alonso and McLaren.

Why, for instance, was McLaren singled out for punishment while Ferrari wasn't pulled up for failing to put fuel in Felipe Massa's Ferrari? Didn't that hamper Felipe's chances in qualifying as well?

Certainly everyone I have spoken to, both within the paddock and friends that I have outside the sport who are fans, are flabbergasted by how some of F1's rules and regulations are enforced.

It's bit difficult to follow the sport when you find there isn't really a consistent set of criteria for how penalties are applied.

Having a permanent FIA steward, Tony Scott-Andrews, has improved things, because he knows the personalities involved and that allows him to make a more even judgement. But even so it's important for F1 to be more consistent and transparent in applying penalties."