Did Hill leave Sky after heat for view on Verstappen? 'Don't need that'
Johnny Herbert wonders whether Damon Hill left Sky Sports F1 because of the "crazy level of abuse" he received following his views on Max Verstappen's actions. His friend and former colleague at Sky Sports announced his exit days after making a boisterous appearance during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, during which he heavily criticised Verstappen's driving style.
The Brit made many negative comments about Verstappen's driving style and once compared him to Wacky Races villain cartoon character Dick Dastardly. Verstappen hit back during the press conference explaining that he knows what he's doing as he is a three-time World Champion. Hill also highlighted how a number of rules were introduced because of the Dutchman's behaviour.
After Verstappen won the Brazilian Grand Prix in impressive style, Hill posted on social media about the Dutchman silencing a few critics. Fans replied to Hill's comment cynically. For example, someone asked "including you?" and someone else stated "including yourself?". Some wonder if Hill himself realises that he is among Verstappen's critics and others pointed to Verstappen jokingly noting that there was no British press present at the press conference.
Did Hill leave because of the criticism he got for his views on Verstappen?
Herbert, who also used to work as a pundit for Sky Sports F1, knew that Hill has always questioned why he was a pundit. "Damon Hill has been saying ever since he started in 2012 that he wondered why he was doing the punditry. Every year he said he wasn’t sure whether he would do it again. And every year for the next 12 he came back! I don’t know whether it was his decision or Sky’s, to be honest," Herbert told FlashScore USA.
"Was it an enjoyment factor? Potentially. I know he got criticism for the Max scenarios and maybe he felt, ‘You know what I don’t need that.’ He was very unhappy at the crazy level of abuse he got over his Max comments. Damon has a son with Down’s Syndrome and he does a lot of work for the Halow Project. A lot of the hate I was getting for my criticism of Max’s driving came through social media channels linked to the charity. That was ridiculous," Herbert continued.
Herbert has experienced it himself in recent weeks as well after being a steward in Mexico and Brazil. “People were going through the Halow charity Instagram account to get to me. Maybe all that negativity made him decide. My critics also used the BRDC account to get to me about the time penalties, qualifying in Brazil, and starting low down the grid. We were accused of being biased against Max. "Knowledge is very important. You have Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion. Why would you not want him part of it because of the knowledge he has gained through the good and bad times?," he concluded.
The type of abuse Damon Hill got is sad and cannot be justified. It is a serious problem that has come with internet and especially with the social media and the anonymity in which most posters comment (also here). It was sad when it happened to Masi, it was sad when it happened to Kelly and now again it is sad. And it is sad to pin this on one fanbase, because this isn't about a single fanbase. It is a general problem.
Damon is a decent guy, and was a good driver. Still given the car he had he should have won more than one WDC. It is also completely understandable that he has issues with Michael / Max. Max / Michael and Lewis have the heart and the ruthlessness to be and have multiple titles Damon did not.
Both of them should try a little less nationalism and a bit more fairness. Then they might have a slightly better time online.
Let’s be clear—pundits, like Damon Hill, are not immune to criticism. If a pundit makes a statement that fans believe to be inaccurate or biased, it’s perfectly reasonable to challenge them. In fact, debate and disagreement are part of what makes sports so engaging for many. But there’s a crucial difference between respectful criticism and outright abuse. Calling someone names, sending threatening messages, or launching social media hate campaigns because you disagree with their opinion crosses a line. The targeting of a charity site to express displeasure with a pundit’s opinions is not just wrong—it’s disgraceful. Damon Hill has dedicated significant time and effort to charitable causes, using his platform to give back to the community. Trying to harm a cause that exists to help others because of personal frustrations with Hill’s commentary is both shortsighted and shameful and says more about the fans than anything else. Incidents like this tarnish the reputation of all F1 fans . The sport thrives on passionate debate, but when that passion turns into blind anger that hurts innocent causes, it reflects poorly on all of us. For me this kind of behavior has become normalized, and it risks alienating people—fans, pundits, and even drivers—who contribute to the sport we love. We now have sport where no one will say anything that upsets a fan base for fear of what's happening now.
I'm afraid your opinion count's for everything in the world right now, not just F1. People can say anything to everyone without any real consequences. I'm all for privacy, but maybe it's the the right time to start demanding some kind of ID verification before you can interact publicly on a platform. This way you can also easily ban people for life (or 1 year for a start), no matter the IP address or Google account. And if you want your privacy, that's ok for the rest of the internet, but you just can't react on a platform. Leave it open to read for everyone and open to react only for verified users.
So youre perfect happy with the reasons DH left and hope the same happens to Herbert?
The more untrue people in high places leave the better.....
Still haven't answered my question, but I didn't expect you too. "So youre perfect happy with the reasons DH left and hope the same happens to Herbert"
I'm happy. Now get the other bias commentators out. You want to blame max supports left right and centre but forgot all the hate and abuse massi and my man goatifi got from all over the place. Even on here .
On planet f1 last night herbert was say the next 2 to get sacked from sky is crofty and brundiel. Fans have had enugh of how they can slate one driver off all the time and nothing about british driver
Did Massi have a charity for his child that has Down Syndrome and that charity recieved hate and abuse from Mercedes fans . I think you're delusional. This is about the abuse that was directed at a charity for his son and thats disgusting, but youre supportive of that abuse, I understand you very well now RB
My posts are clear , I have a said that Pundits, like Damon Hill, drivers, team principles even us on this blog are not immune to criticism. If a pundit/ the list a gave, is making a statement that fans believe to be inaccurate or biased, it’s perfectly reasonable to challenge them, like do < the post you pasted in> In fact, debate and disagreement are part of what makes sports so engaging. You may have difficulty understanding this and won't fault you for saying something nonsensical at this point . I know you reading a lingerie post may be boring but I addressed that point already . Are you at some point gonna answer the question ?
"Very import is that there’s a crucial difference between respectful criticism and outright abuse. Calling someone names, sending threatening messages, or launching social media hate campaigns because you disagree with their opinion crosses a line. You would agree, if you don't then you're part of the toxic fanbase problem we have in F1 ." Wait what!!! What about Massi and goatifi. You got no problem with people threatening them.
My posts are clear , I have a said that Pundits, like Damon Hill, drivers, team principles even us on this blog are not immune to criticism. If a pundit/ the list a gave, is making a statement that fans believe to be inaccurate or biased, it’s perfectly reasonable to challenge them, like do < the post you pasted in> In fact, debate and disagreement are part of what makes sports so engaging. You may have difficulty understanding this and won't fault you for saying something nonsensical at this point . Very import is that there’s a crucial difference between respectful criticism and outright abuse. Calling someone names, sending threatening messages, or launching social media hate campaigns because you disagree with their opinion crosses a line. You would agree, if you don't then you're part of the toxic fanbase problem we have in F1 . Getting back to the question youre avoiding to answer, because i believe you're supporting the fans who are part of the problem, the targeting of a charity site to express displeasure with a pundit’s/the list i noted, opinions is not just wrong—it’s disgraceful. Damon Hill has dedicated significant time and effort to charitable causes, using his platform to give back to the community. Trying to harm a cause that exists to help others because of personal frustrations with Hill’s commentary is both shortsighted and shameful and says more about the fans than anything else. Again I expect you to disagree because I belive you're part of the problem. Now go off and think about what hateful responce you're gonna post below Mnr.
Just like I expected. Double standards when it comes to max.
You haven't responded to my post, when you do i will gladly respond to your post .
"On the one hand Max wants freedom of speech and on the other he wants protection from those that use their freedom of speech. Guidelines are important and the FIA understands that, so we don't have the situation Max is complaining about ." What is the difference now vegan. This was you regarding Kelly's online abuse?
Really: Damon has a son with Down’s Syndrome and he does a lot of work for the Halow Project. A lot of the hate I was getting for my criticism of Max’s driving came through social media channels linked to the charity. That was ridiculous," Herbert continued. Is this how fans respond to fair criticism of a driver , attack a Down’s Syndrome charity. That's sickening & disgusting. How can anyone defend those fans ?
Well I wonder which fan base that criticism and hate was coming from
Terrible you & I condemned that back then didn't we @Mavric. Why you hesitating now to condemn this fanbase.
So is Johnny the next to leave Sky News too? Commentators who cannot act professionally and are bias towards (or against) any drivers, not only Max, should not be a presenter on any network. Ted Kravitz seems to have toned down on his bias remarks towards a particular driver of late since the fiasco last season. The only commentator I feel that is very objective and unbias in his analysis and comments have always been Martin Brundle. He will tell it like it is. If a driver has acted unprofesionally, it doesnt matter who, he will give his opinion on it. Thats fair enough. Keep up the good work!
I have been saying this for a while now: if Sky F1 wants to really grow their viewership, they need to revamp their commentator lineup and approach. As it is, it's setup towards British viewers. F1 is expanding rapidly (revenue-wise) on the global scene. This British biased commentary does not play well on the global scene.
@MikeTT, so you're read the artilce and came away with that gem of a post . He was very unhappy at the crazy level of abuse he got over his Max comments. Damon has a son with Down’s Syndrome and he does a lot of work for the Halow Project. A lot of the hate I was getting for my criticism of Max’s driving came through social media channels linked to the charity. That was ridiculous," Herbert continued. Are you supportive of these fans ?
I have no clue as to why you put your answer to my post, other than it seems to be a cut-and-paste of your other posts in this topic. My post is about all the bias from Sky. Fans are starting to push back against it.
On planet f1 last night herbert say next ones to go from sky are corfty and brundel .maybe its because wgat max said wear the british press .and crofty and brundel made big song dance about it
So who do you want then, maybe Coulthard and Webber from Channel 4
@Mech, did you even read the article . Cause it's seems you're fully behind these fans that : He was very unhappy at the crazy level of abuse he got over his Max comments. Damon has a son with Down’s Syndrome and he does a lot of work for the Halow Project. A lot of the hate I was getting for my criticism of Max’s driving came through social media channels linked to the charity. That was ridiculous," Herbert continued.
You said Down’s Syndrome 4 times on this page....WE HAVE GOT IT!
So you're more upset that I mention Down’s Syndrome than the fact that Max fans started posting hate on the charities social media pages . What sad state F1 is with all these toxic fans ?
Absolutely, best car best driver , and he will be a 4 time WDC at the same team ?
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