Stewart, however, believes the new efforts to improve safety should be backed by all competitors – especially in view of new rules which remove driver aids.

“It is completely wrong of Lewis not be involved,” Stewart said of his fellow Briton.

“I am surprised and disappointed at him. He has been badly advised.”

Stewart warns his sport must be vigilant to minimise the likelihood of a tragedy.

“So far we have been incredibly lucky,” he said. We are on the slate to have a big shunt. But what is going to happen is this - somebody is going to get killed.

“At the speeds modern cars do it’ll be like an air crash.”