Alleged conflict of interest got Johnny Herbert fired from his role as an F1 steward, a decision announced by the FIA on Wednesday.
The move has stirred a huge discussion within the motorsport community, particularly regarding the ethics of having former drivers serve dual roles as both stewards and media pundits.
The FIA stated that “incompatible” roles got Johnny Herbert fired, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue about conflicts of interest in F1 stewardship.
Herbert, who has been a prominent figure in Formula 1 since his racing career began in the late 1980s, transitioned into a media role after retiring from professional racing.
Herbert’s tenure as an FIA steward began in 2010, and he was known for being one of the busiest stewards on the panel. He officiated at approximately one-third of last season’s races, making him a key figure in adjudicating various incidents on track.
The 60-year old’s insights as a pundit have been widely recognized, yet his recent comments and activities have raised eyebrows among fans, teams, and other stakeholders in the sport.
The controversy over Herbert’s impartial comments intensified following incidents during the 2024 season, particularly following his critical comments about current F1 star Max Verstappen during the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix.
During that race, Verstappen received a 20-second penalty for colliding with Lando Norris, an incident that Herbert publicly criticized. He described Verstappen’s aggressive driving style as having a “horrible mindset,” which drew ire from Verstappen’s camp, including his father, Jos Verstappen.
Jos openly questioned the appropriateness of Herbert’s dual role, stating that an F1 steward should not engage with the press in such a manner.
The FIA’s statement regarding Herbert’s dismissal highlighted his respected status within the sport and acknowledged his contributions as a F1 steward. However, it also pointed out that the duality of his roles created potential conflicts that could undermine the integrity of the stewarding process.
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The statement read: “It is with regret that we announced today that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfil the position of F1 drivers 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 F1 steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible.
“We thank him for his service and with him well in his future endeavours.”
In response to his dismissal, Herbert took to social media to express gratitude for the opportunity he had to serve as an FIA driver steward. He acknowledged the challenges of the role and reiterated his commitment to treating all drivers and team personnel with respect and impartiality.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity of being an FIA Driver Steward and I have thoroughly enjoyed the role I have been involved in over the years,” Herbert shared on Instagram.
“It is a difficult job and there are tough decisions that have to be made. As F1 Stewards, we have and will continue to treat both drivers and team personnel with the utmost respect and remain impartial at all times during all F1 Grand Prix weekends.
“Finally, I’m very grateful to the President and everyone at the FIA for the opportunities I have been given.”
The decision to part ways with Herbert comes amid broader discussions about the integrity of officiating in Formula 1. Over recent seasons, there have been increasing calls for more stringent guidelines regarding who can serve as stewards, especially those who also engage in media commentary or analysis.
There are growing calls within the community for stewards’ positions to be full-time roles rather than volunteer positions, which could help ensure consistency and eliminate potential conflicts arising from external commitments.
In response, the FIA introduced the Officials Department so as to ensure the integrity of race outcomes hinges on fair and unbiased decision-making by F1 stewards who are tasked with upholding the rules of the sport.
Herbert is expected to continue serving as a pundit for Sky Sports F1 and various other F1 news outlets.
