Johnny Herbert axed from F1 role amid Max Verstappen controversy as FIA release official statement
Johnny Herbert has departed his role as an F1 driver steward ahead of the 2025 season, the FIA have confirmed.
The 60-year-old, who won three F1 Grands Prix during his career as a driver, has been involved with the stewarding panel since 2010.
Herbert has long been respected within F1 circles both in his stewarding role and as a media pundit, having been part of the Sky Sports F1 team from its debut in 2012 up until 2023.
But he has now been effectively dropped as a driver steward by the FIA, who state that his current roles as a media pundit are now 'incompatible'.
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According to Autosport, his partnership with a betting company - where he comments on decisions made by the FIA, which are then sent to media agencies - has 'drawn significant interest'.
Among Herbert's comments to the agency in 2024 included several remarks on the 20-second penalty Max Verstappen received at the Mexico Grand Prix in October after two separate incidents with Lando Norris. The Brit was a steward during the race weekend.
Herbert denied accusations levelled by Verstappen of FIA stewards being 'biased', to which Verstappen responded: "Well, now you know where he stands.
"It's pretty abnormal for him to say this, right? People act like I'm doing it all on purpose. But they can't see inside my head. They are pretty extreme accusations.
"Yes, we [Verstappen and Norris] raced hard. That's right. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose."
The FIA statement reads: "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."
Topics: Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Formula 1
Ryan Smart