Johnny Herbert quits as pilot commissioner due to media outbursts

It is an adventure of almost 15 years that ends even before the start of the 2025 season. Formula 1Johnny Herbert will no longer be a steward at F1 Grands Prix, a position he first held at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2010. The Briton was among the former drivers tapped to take on the newly created role that year.

Herbert has continued to serve in this role for several races each year since then, but his position was weakened last year by suspicions of bias from those close to him. Max Verstappen. Jos Verstappen was surprised to see Johnny Herbert continue to occupy the position of driver-steward after having publicly attacked his son Max, notably by evoking his "horrible mentality" after the Mexican Grand Prix. On this round, Herbert had participated in sanctioning the driver with two 10-second penalties Red Bull after his aggressive defense against Lando Norris.

The Briton is also the one who imposed community service on Max Verstappen after using the word 'fucked' at a press conference in Singapore, which did not please the Dutchman, who took revenge by only responding with snippets of sentences during the following conferences to show his annoyance.

Johnny Herbert very (too?) active in the media

The question of Johnny Herbert's possible bias on the part of the Verstappen clan was based on the former driver's various participations in the media, where his analyses could be piquant. A consultant for British television, the sixty-year-old is also very active on the blogs of several sports betting sites.

« As I have always said, I am Johnny Herbert the steward and the professional during a race weekend and at other times Johnny Herbert, an analyst who speaks his mind. ", he justified during one of his visits to SafestBettingSites.co.uk. " When I'm a steward I don't express any opinions. Everyone has an opinion. Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why shouldn't I when I'm not at the track? The track has been my world for 50 years. If I don't completely agree with what I see on it, I'll say so. It's not just Max. I'll criticise anyone if I think it's justified."

The FIA ​​finally decided that these statements were not cumulative with the neutrality required by the role of driver-steward and announced the departure of Johnny Herbert by mutual agreement. It is with regret that we announce today that Johnny Herbert will no longer serve as F1 Steward for the FIA. explained the International Federation on its social networks, just a few days after Johnny Herbert confirmed his participation in the 2025 season. Johnny is widely respected and brings invaluable experience and expertise to his role. However, after discussion, it was mutually agreed that his duties as an FIA Steward and as a media analyst were incompatible. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

With 161 Formula 1 starts, Johnny Herbert was one of the most notable figures of the 1990s. Winner of three Grands Prix, he notably finished fourth in the championship in 1995 with Benetton, the year his teammate Michael Schumacher won his second world championship title.

It is with regret that we announce that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfill the position of F1 driver steward for the FIA#FIA pic.twitter.com/e6CTWtAWJZ

- FIA (@fia) January 29, 2025