Last month, Johnny Herbert announced his departure as an FIA race steward following a ‘conflict of interest’ with his punditry responsibilities. However, now he’s claiming outside sources had an impact in the decision.
Specifically, Herbert is claiming that the Verstappens had a meeting with Mohammed Ben Sulayem which led to his sacking despite being assured he was staying for 2025.
Since 2010, the FIA have included a former F1 driver in their rotating body of stewards, with Johnny Herbery taking up that mantle in recent years. However, the three-time Grand Prix winner had faced criticism throughout his tenure over media comments and alleged bias against Verstappen.
The most notable moment was after the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, where Herbert was part of the team that gave out the penalties for Verstappen’s incident with Lando Norris. He then talked to the media after the incident calling out what he deemed as Verstappen’s aggressive tactics and ‘horrible mindset.’
This led to Jos Verstappen saying, “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”. Not long after the announcement was made that Herbert would not be returning as a steward in 2025.
Herbert’s statement
Despite not speaking out against the FIA’s original statement that the decision was mutual. Now just a month later he has decided to speak up.
He spoke to CasinoApps.com and said, “Certain people spoke to [FIA president] Mohammed Ben Sulayem about sacking me. 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. Two days before I was eventually given the sack over the phone, I’d been told all was good for 2025. Then it wasn’t.”
“I understand how everything came about. But I am not going to point the finger. But as I said, there were certain people who did actually speak with the president. That’s why the president finally made that decision to get rid of me.”
Despite not specifically naming Jos Verstappen, Herbert talked intensively about the Dutch versus British bias inside Formula 1.
“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.”
The FIA are being ‘heavy handed’
Herbert’s criticism of the FIA didn’t end with his departure as a steward. He also discussed the recent news that David Richards and Robert Reid were denied access to a meeting after refusing to sign an NDA.
Herbert accused the FIA of becoming more ‘controlling’ with NDA’s not being the norm but quickly becoming the norm.
“The FIA are more controlling than before and now have a heavy-handed way of dealing with things. There does seem to be a more controlling factor coming into play. Dave Richards was one of those who refused to sign an NDA and therefore wasn’t allowed into the room for the World Motor Sport Council meeting earlier this week.“
“Dave’s been around the world for many a decade [as a former British American Racing team principal who also heads Motorsport UK] and a big part of the FIA at the same time.“
“Signing an NDA and confidentiality agreements is not the norm, but it’s becoming the norm. There definitely seems to be a more heavy-handed way of dealing with things now.”
Johnny Herbert insists he holds no grudge against the FIA after being sacked, admitting he enjoyed his time working with the FIA. He maintains that he felt he was not being biased at any point behind the scenes.
“I’m absolutely fine with it. It was upsetting at the time because I enjoyed it. I felt that I was doing the best job and with no bias towards anybody.“
Feature Image Credit: Sky Sports F1
