Formula 1 race steward Johnny Herbert has hit back at claims from Jos Verstappen that he is biased against his son Max.
Max Verstappen was penalised for running McLaren’s Lando Norris off of the road not once but twice during the Mexico City Grand Prix.
After handing out 20 seconds worth of time penalties to Verstappen, Herbert said “I don’t see Verstappen’s driving changing because the number one goal is to stop Norris from closing the gap for the drivers’ championship.
“We potentially still have a lot of interesting racing coming our way.”
Jos Verstappen took offence to Herbert’s remarks, telling Dutch outlet De Telegraaf “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.
“From former drivers, for example, who have more sympathy for certain drivers or [teams].”
Jos’ son Max, following further criticism from Herbert’s fellow Brit Damon Hill also took some offence to the remarks made against him, telling Autosport “at the end of the day, I’ve got the wrong passport for this paddock.”
Herbert not alone in Verstappen criticism
Herbert has defended his professionalism as a steward and his right to an opinion outside of office hours.
“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,” Herbert said.
“When I am a steward, I do not express any opinions.
“Everyone has an opinion. Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I am not at the race track?
“The race track has been my world for 50 years. If I don’t quite agree with what I see on the race track I will say so. It is not just Max. I’ll criticise anyone if I feel it is warranted.
“I understand it from Jos’s point of view because it is his son. Is there any bias? No, of course not. I wasn’t the only one to think that Max was over the top in Mexico. Lando Norris and Zak Brown thought so too.
“When I do speak to people on a Monday or Tuesday that is outside my stewarding responsibilities.”
Herbert also implied hypocrisy coming from Jos Verstappen, who is regularly outspoken on several matters in F1, including behind-the-scenes controversy at Red Bull earlier in 2024.
“Jos has always been very outspoken about what is happening at Red Bull. Is that his position to be?
“It is all very similar. If you have an opinion and you want to make it, then you can.”
READ MORE – Jos Verstappen slams FIA stewards over Mexico F1 penalties
