Johnny Herbert has been dropped as a Formula One steward for the upcoming 2025 season after it was “mutually agreed” that his work as a media pundit was “incompatible” with his work for the FIA.
The development follows complaints by world champion Max Verstappen in Brazil last season that certain “people” in F1 were “biased” against him. The Red Bull driver was thought to be referring to Herbert among others.
Ex-driver Herbert was on the stewards’ panel at the previous race in Mexico when Verstappen received a combined 20 seconds in penalties for driving title rival Lando Norris off the track.
Those incidents came one week after a similar on-track skirmish in Austin, although on that occasion it was Norris who was penalised. Both races generated plenty of scrutiny of Verstappen’s driving style.
In the wake of the Mexican race, Herbert gave an interview to Action Network in which he elaborated on the reasons the Dutch driver had been penalised.
“Verstappen’s driving style was harsh,” Herbert said. “Especially when he’s taking a fellow driver off the track. It’s an absolute no-no from me, current drivers, former drivers and stewards.
“I am such a big fan of Verstappen and it frustrates me massively when he drives the way he did in Mexico. He doesn’t need to do it, he’s so good in the cockpit and at this point in the championship, he just needs to stay out of trouble and drive as well as possible. When Verstappen goes into this horrible mindset of trying to gain an advantage by taking a fellow driver off the race track so Ferrari can get the one-two, that is where Verstappen needs to know he doesn’t have to do that. Just win in the cleanest possible way you can.”
The interview was known to have raised eyebrows in the Verstappen camp, as did criticism by another former British driver, Damon Hill, who likened Verstappen’s driving in Mexico to Dick Dastardly from Wacky Races and suggested Red Bull’s world champion was incapable of racing “fairly” because it was not in his nature to do so.
Verstappen calls out ‘biased people’ in F1
While Verstappen did not directly name Herbert or Hill in his press conference in Brazil at the next race, he hit out at “biased people” in F1, saying he “knew who they were” but adding it was “not his problem” if they had an issue with his driving.
“I don’t listen to those individuals,” Verstappen said. “I just do my thing. I am a three-time world champion and I think I know what I am doing. I have my opinions and I don’t need to share them.”
Pressed on who he was referring to, Verstappen added: “I know who they are and that is the most important thing. Some people are just a bit biased. And I mean, I get it. It is fine. But it is not my problem. I just continue with my life and I keep performing.”
Verstappen went on to win his fourth straight world title, largely thanks to a magisterial performance in the wet in Brazil. Hill has since been released as a pundit by Sky Sports, while Herbert will no longer be a driver steward.
In a statement on Wednesday the FIA said: “It is with regret that we announce today that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfil the position of F1 driver steward for the FIA. Johnny is widely respected and brought invaluable experience and expertise to his role. However, after discussion, it was mutually agreed that his duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
In December, Herbert defended his right to express an opinion in the media, despite criticism from Verstappen’s father Jos over a perceived conflict of interest.
‘I’ll criticise anyone if it is warranted’
In Brazil, Verstappen Snr said that “a steward should not talk to the press at all and do a constant job” and that “it is definitely not the case now”.
Herbert told SafestBettingSites: “As I have always said, I am Johnny Herbert the steward and the professional during a race weekend and Johnny Herbert a pundit at other times who expresses what he thinks.
“Everyone has an opinion. Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I am not at the racetrack?” he continued.
“The racetrack has been my world for 50 years. If I don’t quite agree with what I see on the racetrack I will say so. It is not just Max. I’ll criticise anyone if I feel it is warranted.
“I understand it from Jos’s point of view because it is his son. Is there any bias? No, of course not. I wasn’t the only one to think that Max was over the top in Mexico. Lando Norris and Zak Brown thought so too.
“When I do speak to people on a Monday or Tuesday that is outside my stewarding responsibilities.
“Jos has always been very outspoken about what is happening at Red Bull.
“Is that his position to be? It is all very similar. If you have an opinion and you want to make it, then you can.”
Earlier this month, Herbert told Casinoutanspelpaus that his “perfect scenario” for the upcoming season would be for Lewis Hamilton to win a record eighth world title in his first season with Ferrari. “I think Lewis Hamilton winning the championship this year would be the perfect scenario,” Herbert said, adding: “I think Ferrari winning the championship would be brilliant for the sport.”
The new season begins in Australia on March 16.
