The FIA have confirmed that Johnny Herbert will no longer serve on its panel of Grand Prix stewards ahead of the new Formula One season.
Herbert has been a regular steward over the last 15 years but has drawn criticism for his media comments in recent months.
He has given interviews to betting companies who have offered his quotes to the media in exchange for promotional links, such as when he rubbed Max Verstappen up the wrong way after last season’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
In a statement, the FIA explained that Herbert would no longer be serving as a steward because his duties were ‘incompatible’ with his role as a media pundit.
“It is with regret that we announce today that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfil the position of F1 driver steward for the FIA,” read the statement.
“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.”
Herbert sparked a row with Verstappen after the Dutchman was handed two penalties for clashing with Lando Norris in Mexico City. He accused the Red Bull driver of having a ‘horrible mindset’ and urged him to tone down his aggressive style.
“Verstappen’s driving style was harsh, especially when he’s taking a fellow driver off the track,” said Herbert.
“It’s an absolute no-no from me, current drivers, former drivers and stewards. I am such a big fan of Verstappen and it frustrates me massively when he drives the way he did in Mexico.
“He doesn’t need to do it. He’s so good in the cockpit and at this point in the championship, he just needs to stay out of trouble and drive as well as possible.
“When Verstappen goes into this horrible mindset of trying to gain an advantage by taking a fellow driver off the race track so Ferrari can get the one-two, that is where Verstappen needs to know he doesn’t have to do that.”
It prompted a furious response from Verstappen, who later said: “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 raced hard, that’s right. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.”
Verstappen also suggested that he was being unfairly treated by certain sections of the media, saying: “I know a lot of people are biased and that I have the wrong passport.
“I’m very happy with my passport, mind you, but in this paddock, it’s the wrong one. I know how most people are.
“Last year, almost everything went perfectly. It must have hurt a lot of people so much that they couldn’t say anything negative. Now it’s all coming out and they’re going full steam ahead. They’re doing just fine, it doesn’t upset me.”
