Johnny Herbert exits F1 steward role amid pundity concerns

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Former driver Johnny Herbert loses FIA steward role over ‘incompatible' pundit work.

In a significant development within the Formula 1 community, former driver and renowned pundit Johnny Herbert will no longer be part of the FIA's race steward panel, following concerns over the "incompatible" nature of his dual roles.

The decision comes after Herbert's media comments on various platforms, including Casinoutanspelpaus.io and Plejmo.com, sparked discussions and scrutiny.

The British racing veteran, known for his insightful analysis on Sky Sports, faced criticism last season for balancing responsibilities as a steward and a media figure. The issue gained traction when he was involved in a decision that penalized Red Bull's Max Verstappen 20 seconds for an on-track incident with McLaren’s Lando Norris. Notably, Verstappen voiced his disapproval of stewards engaging with the media, stating, "I don't think stewards should talk to the media at all."

Herbert was slated to serve as a steward at the season opener Australian Grand Prix on March 18 but will now focus solely on his punditry. Reflecting on the evolving racing regulations, Herbert noted, "The way that the racing rules have gone, it's made it more as racing was when we were doing karting. I know George Russell mentioned that, it was crazy, this apex stuff and now we've given space on the exits."

His commentary last November, where Herbert differentiated his roles, further highlighted the ongoing debate: "I am Johnny Herbert the steward and the professional during a race weekend and Johnny Herbert a pundit at other times, who expresses what he thinks."

The FIA officially announced Herbert's exit from the steward panel, emphasizing his substantial contributions but acknowledging the inherent conflict in his roles. "Johnny is widely respected and brought invaluable experience and expertise to the role. However, after discussion, it was mutually agreed that his duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible," the statement read.

The move renews focus on the FIA's steward system, with consistency in decision-making remaining a contentious issue in 2024. Calls from George Russell and the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) for full-time, salaried stewards have yet to align with the governing body's current practices.

As the stewardship landscape remains under scrutiny, Johnny Herbert's departure underscores the dynamic and sometimes contentious intersection of media presence and officiating in Formula 1.

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