New Delhi: The FIA has confirmed that former British Grand Prix driver Johnny Herbert will no longer serve in the capacity of a Formula One race steward role, as both parties have mutually agreed that his media duties were “incompatible” with his F1 roles. Questions were raised last season about Herbert’s dual role with Max Verstappen’s father Jos, leading the voice in the criticism.
Jos’s criticism came about after Herbert had discussed giving a penalty to the four-time World Champion in the Mexico City Grand Prix while also serving as the driver steward. Verstappen was given a 20-second penalty due to two separate incidents with his title rival Lando Norris. Herbert later in an interview noted that despite the penalties, Verstappen will still force Norris to drive off the track in future.
Senior Verstappen felt that Herbert shouldn’t interact with the media while the 60-year-old denied there was any conflict of interest and maintained that he was free to express his opinion as an expert after being a race steward on the weekends. While Herbert had noted that the Dutch racer was nice to have “chat with”, however, he had noted back then that Verstappen’s driving mindset does irritate him on occasions.
Concerns had been on the rise after Herbert gave his opinions on betting websites and talked about incidents he oversaw in the race weekend publicly. FIA have now confirmed that Herbert won’t be part of the stewarding lineup for the upcoming season while thanking him for bringing his “invaluable experience” to his role.
It is with regret that we announce that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfil the position of F1 driver steward for the FIA#FIA pic.twitter.com/e6CTWtAWJZ
— FIA (@fia) January 29, 2025
Herbert had raced between 1998 and 200 in F1, winning three grand prix, before taking up his role as an expert with Sky Sport in 2012. While he left Sky Sports three years back, he continued with giving media opinions.
FIA restructuring their officials
He is the second experienced steward to be terminated by FIA in the last two months, with Tim Mayer being dismissed right before last year’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Herbert marks the latest shake-up in the FIA’s officiating roles which started towards the end of last year.
Along with Mayer, Formula 2 race director Janette Tan, F1 race director Niels Wittich and FIA compliance officer Paolo Basarri were the other three officials who departed from their role last autumn.
FIA have created a sense of unease in F1 with a series of changes in the regulations which many believe makes the organization less accountable. Last week they also brought in regulations that could lead to drivers facing race bans for swearing or criticising FIA officials.
Johnny Herbert and FIA have mutually decided to part ways after it was deemed that the British driver’s role as media expert was conflicting with his F1 race steward duties. Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
