F1 News
FIA steward Herbert continues war of words with Jos Verstappen after Brazil
Johnny Herbert has hit back at Jos Verstappen after the Dutchman criticised Herbert for talking to the media and expressing his views while part of the Formula 1 stewarding team. The former British driver has defended his actions. Herbert was a steward during the Mexican Grand Prix when Max Verstappen picked up two ten-second penalties and he was a steward in Brazil.
In Brazil, Jos Verstappen expressed his view that Herbert shouldn't talk to the media while being an FIA steward. Max Verstappen's dad was responding to Herbert's comments, which gave his views on the Formula 1 World Championship and saw him explain the stewards' decision to penalise Verstappen during the Mexican Grand Prix. Now, Herbert has hit back.
"As I have always said, 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," the Brit said in a conversation with SafestBettingSites.co.uk. So when the former Formula 1 driver is designated as a steward by the FIA - such as in Mexico and Brazil - he says he remains purely objective. "When I am a steward, I do not express any opinions," he said.
Will Herbert stop talking to the media?
The Verstappen family finds it extraordinary that Herbert is allowed to speak critically in the press, while balancing his role as a steward several times a year. It raises the suggestion that Herbert is biased, although he denied that last week because there are other stewards in the room from different countries. Max Verstappen, however, found certain statements made by the steward "abnormal" and believes his credibility is at stake.
"Everyone has an opinion. Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I am not at the racetrack? The racetrack has been my world for 50 years. If I don’t quite agree with what I see on the racetrack I will say so. It is not just Max. I’ll criticise anyone if I feel it is warranted," the Brit explained.
He continued: "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". It is arguably striking that Herbert uses those two examples. As a World Championship rival to Verstappen and Red Bull, Norris and Brown will not have been entirely objective.
Comparison with Jos Verstappen
Herbert thinks the issue is made far too big. He doesn't see the problem with it. "When I do speak to people on a Monday or Tuesday that is outside my stewarding responsibilities," after which he draws comparisons with Verstappen sr. "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."
This article has been created in collaboration with Corwin Kunst