F1 icon Johnny Herbert AXED from role he’s held for 15 years just months after Max Verstappen row
JOHNNY HERBERT has been axed from his F1 driver steward role after 15 years of service, the FIA have confirmed.The FIA said Herbert’s panel job was “incompatible” with his media work after the Englishman clashed with Max Verstappen last year.Johnny Herbert will no longer serve as an F1 driver steward from the 2025 seasonCredit: GettyHerbert said Max Verstappen had a ‘horrible mindset’ after his performance in MexicoCredit: GettyHerbert found himself in hot water with Verstappen’s camp in OctoberCredit: GettyA statement from the FIA on Wednesday read: “It is with regret that we announce today that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfil the position of F1 driver steward.“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.”READ MORE IN MOTORSPORTThe former driver provided his opinions on F1 in the media via various outlets during the 2024 season.But Herbert found himself in hot water with Verstappen’s camp for his comments about the Red Bull driver’s performance at the Mexican Grand Prix in October.He accused the 27-year-old of having a “horrible mindset” and urged him to tone down his aggressive style in a column for a betting website.The 60-year-old had been on the four-person stewards’ panel who handed Verstappen two 10-second time penalties in Mexico for clashes with title rival Lando Norris.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSVerstappen’s dad Jos openly questioned whether it is a good idea for stewards who apply the rules in races to also have a platform to share such strong opinions in public.He told Dutch media: “The FIA should take a good look at the staffing of the stewards, who they put there and whether there is no appearance of a conflict of interest.”Red Bull announce 22-year-old will be Max Verstappen’s new team-mate hours after Sergio Perez exit Herbert defended his right to express his views publicly and stated his opinions were separate from his professional work.He said: “Everyone has an opinion. Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I am not at the racetrack? “The racetrack has been my world for 50 years. If I do not quite agree with what I see on the racetrack I will say so. “It is not just Max – I will criticise anyone if I feel it is warranted. Is there any bias? No, of course not.”Clearly, after assessing the situation, the FIA does not agree that the two roles can be performed without a conflict of interest.Keen to avoid perceptions of bias from their stewards, the governing body has decided to avoid further rows of the same nature.A new driver steward is now needed for the Melbourne race on March 16, following Herbert’s exit.READ MORE SUN STORIESHerbert worked as a pundit for Sky Sports F1 while he acted as an FIA steward.But he dropped from Sky’s F1 presenting team after 11 years at the end of his contract before the 2023 F1 season.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More