Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, FIA
Marcus Chan
A former FIA steward has hit back at Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen and his father over a 'ridiculous' accusation.
Back in January, it was confirmed by the sport's governing body, the FIA, that Johnny Herbert had been removed from his role as an F1 steward ahead of the 2025 season.
Herbert, who raced in F1 for the likes of Benetton, Lotus and Jaguar, had been involved in both the media and the stewarding over the last decade.
Explaining the decision in a statement, the FIA declared that Herbert's role as a media pundit made him 'incompatible' as a steward.
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During the 2024 season, Herbert did several interviews with a betting company, commenting on decisions made by stewards, including the call to hand Verstappen a 20-second penalty at the Mexico Grand Prix in October after two incidents with Lando Norris.
As a result, there were rumours linking Verstappen with the sacking of Herbert, which Red Bull boss Christian Horner strongly denied.
Speaking out for the first time since leaving the FIA, Herbert stated his sacking was down to the 'chitter chatter'.
He said to CasinoApps.com: "It didn’t come from within the FIA initially. It was all to do with chitter chatter to the FIA that made them change their point of view.
"Everything I’d done all year long in 2024 had been discussed and accepted,” to the point where, two days prior to being fired, he had been told that his position as a rotating FIA steward was safe for 2025. I understand how everything came about. But I am not going to point the finger."
Herbert continued: "But as I said, there were certain people who did actually speak with the President [of the FIA] and that’s why the president finally made that decision to get rid of me."
The 60-year-old then hit back at both Max and Jos Verstappen over claims of 'bias' towards British drivers.
Herbert added: "The Verstappens keep intimating there’s a bias. I keep reading about the supposed bias. I read that and then wonder, ‘So I can’t support a British driver because I’m British?’ I can’t support Lewis or George or Lando. It’s ridiculous.
"But coming the other way is fine apparently as was the case in what happened with me. If you’re a Dutchman, you can sort of have a go at the Brits and say the Brits have got no real morals for how they are as race fans. It’s supposed to go both ways isn’t it."