Johnny Herbert has departed his role as one of the Formula 1 driver stewards after the FIA concluded his work as a media analyst was “incompatible” with the role.
Herbert, who raced in F1 between 1989 and 2000, stated that he would be continuing in his position last week at the season-opening round in Australia in March.
But the sport’s governing body has confirmed Herbert, who also previously provided analysis for Sky Sports F1 until 2023, will not maintain the role, which he has held since 2010.
A statement from the FIA read: “It is with regret that we announce today that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfil the position of F1 driver steward for the FIA.
“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.”
Public Verstappen criticism cast doubt on Herbert’s authority
Herbert’s outspoken nature had previously put his role as a steward under scrutiny, with questions raised about impartiality.
After the Mexico City Grand Prix, Herbert criticised the driving ethics of Max Verstappen after the World Champion received two 10-second time penalties for two incidents with Lando Norris.
Max’s father Jos 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].”
Herbert rebuffed such criticism, telling TheRace last year: “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.
“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.”
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