Herbert reacts to FIA exit for first time: 'Always remained impartial'
Johnny Herbert has commented for the first time on his exit from the FIA. The governing body decided to part ways with the former Formula 1 driver as steward due to conflicts of interest. As for Herbert, there are 'no hard feelings': he is especially grateful to the FIA for the opportunities he has been given.
Herbert reacts to FIA exit as steward
"I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a driver steward for the FIA and I have enjoyed the role immensely over the past few years. It is a difficult job and difficult decisions have to be made," the former F1 driver wrote in a post on Instagram.
He continued: "As stewards, we have treated both drivers and team personnel with the utmost respect and will always do so, while remaining impartial at all times during all Grand Prix weekends."
"Finally, I am very grateful to the president and everyone at the FIA for the opportunities I have been given," the 60-year-old Briton concluded. It is not yet clear what lies ahead for Herbert, who previously parted ways with Sky Sports.
In the past year, Herbert increasingly came under scrutiny in his role as steward. Indeed, he regularly expressed his unvarnished opinion through paid interviews for betting sites. Herbert is certainly not the only analyst who did so, but the only one who did so in combination with his role as an FIA official. After initially confirming Herbert as one of the stewards for the first Formula One race of the year, the Australian Grand Prix, the governing body announced it was parting with him as steward after all.
On several occasions, Herbert spoke very critically of Max Verstappen. Although he also praised the Red Bull Racing driver for his skills, he had a clear opinion about his role in certain incidents, such as in the two moments the Dutchman had with Lando Norris in the Mexican Grand Prix, incidents where Herbert, as a steward, was involved in deciding on the penalties Verstappen received.
This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels too!
Oh, that is his version of being "impartial"? I see. ..... when he openly says that he hopes that a particular driver will win the championship this season...
"Always remained impartial"... at least he has a sense of humour.
I have always been clear that you have 4 stewards making decision. Just as a jury operates a penalty is only given when there's a agreement between the 3 not 1 . So this structure was out in place by the FIA to protect against one steward making biased decisions.
So Herbert was impartial and I saw nothing to say other wise . Folks get upset cause he has an opinion but we live in a snowflake ❄️ generation you're not allowed to have a view that I disagree with .....
He may have his own opinion (everyone does), but if he publicly expresses his thoughts and criticisms, as Max criticized, then his objectivity as a steward and his decisions are questioned. Even though his decision would be the same, his objectivity must not be questioned.
It's simple for me ; just because the other stewards are silent doesn't mean that they are not critical of Max or biased against or for him when they make their rulings. Can you 100% say that this is not the case.
You're looking for something that should be taken for granted. Well, of course, all judges have their own opinions about everything. But while they're doing their job as stewards, they should keep their personal opinions to themselves. How professional they are as stewards, and how much their personal beliefs will influence them, is up to them, but there will certainly be better ones and there will be worse ones, just like in any other job.
Is that too complicated for you?
@Vegan Warrior
“So it's all about an "assumption " . Well glad we cleared that up. Until the next assumption mate..“
When you used the word stupid I "assumed " you where frustrated. Was I wrong in my "assumption".
The statement from the FIA was clear yes and the word "dismissal" didn't appear once mate .
I think vegan would also like to see before the match of lets say Liverpool vs Barcelona, a referee telling to media, that his dream scenario would be if Barcelona would win. Nothing wrong with that according to vegan.
If people don't understand simple things like this, then I think no need to waste time for these people. I personally have given up on 3 people on this blog, they just don't get it.
His dismissal explains everything.
As soon as you mention frustration, you obviously have that problem.
That's what your post explains. I understand if you are frustrated about the discussion. For me it's simply not possible to police the stewards biases or opinions whether you do or don't know about them . What the FIA has done or should do is police the stewards decisions by creating processes and systems/guidelines to follow to arrive at a decision. Thus when a decision/penalty is questioned a explanation of the decision is given. I have read the stewards reports and they have always been in line with the mandate they have been given .
We should be in agreement here mate .
So you okay for stewards to be " biased " as long they are not vocal?
No-one on here has any good or valid reason to believe Herbert was anything other than impartial.
rport thinks different though, but then again with that kind of ignorance level, it's expected.
Herbert is not neutral but openly a fan of Hamilton. It is, to say the least, very difficult to remain impartial in that case. How long have you been around on gpblog? Do you truly believe that, for example, Max fans can be impartial when he is involved in an incident? No way, and you know this too. The same goes for Hamilton fans, like Herbert.
"Herbert is not neutral but openly a fan of Hamilton."
Says you. These are two different things. He can be a fan of Hamilton and still show perfect neutrality as a steward.
Do you think all the other stewards are not fans of any drivers? Just because you don't hear from them, doesn't mean it isn't there. Think of all the stewards who have their favourites that you don't hear about.
If Herbert was a Max fan, not a single Max fan would be moaning about him being a steward. They'd be defending him.
If it turns out that Derek Warwick is an outspoken huge Max fan, do you think we will see Max fans wanting him gone just like Herbert?
Let's see if you can answer these questions - not that you can speak for other Max fans, but they are all programmed to think the same.
Max fans are not stewards, thankfully.
If you believe that all the stewards are driver neutral just because they haven't aired their views in public, then you're very much mistaken.
I will guarantee you every steward has a favourite and I'll bet most are towards Max, the latest F1 novelty act.
You only know Herberts views because he shared them and it just happened to not be favourable to Max, so Red Bull jumped in with VCarb to whinge.
Other stewards have been interviewed too. Stewards that were present when Max got off without penalties. Shall we look into those?
" Says you" .
No, he made that clear with numerous statements. You know he is a fan of Lewis, come on.
"These are two different things. He can be a fan of Hamilton and still show perfect neutrality as a steward."
Very difficult to do that. How often have you seen Max fans or Lewis fans respond biased to an incident? It happens all the time and you know this too.
" Think of all the stewards who have their favourites that you don't hear about."
Maybe, maybe not. If other steward have clear favorites they are not fit to be a steward. They have be as neutral as can be.
"If Herbert was a Max fan, not a single Max fan would be moaning about him being a steward. They'd be defending him."
I don't care what Max fans want. I wouldn't want Herbert as a steward just as much as now, if he were a Max fan.
"I will guarantee you every steward has a favourite and I'll bet most are towards Max, the latest F1 novelty act."
Most towards Max? No proof or indication for that, whatsoever. But you will guarantee it, right..... And this statement has nothing to do with your clear dislike for Max? right.. You think every punishment for Max is too soft because you hate the guy.
"I state it because it is such a basic concept that everyone with an IQ above 70 can understand it. You do not fall under that catergory, as it seems. "
Again, more nonsense. First it was 'everyone in the world' and now you're telling me that everyone with an IQ above 70, understands it. Have you tested them all? There is no survey that backs this up.
My IQ, for your information, was officially tested a few years ago at 124.
The national average is 100.
I put it to you that if I hated Max and was entrusted with a stewarding position in the FIA, my biases would not get in the way of me carrying out my job correctly.
I would value the job and have my biases when I'm not stewarding.
I know I could do that, absolutely.
So if I can, I'm pretty sure Herbert could to.
Prove otherwise that he didn't. Because you can't.
"Have you asked the opinions of 8.2billion people before you said 'only person in the world'?
If you talk like this, with such nonsense, how can you hope to present a coherent rational argument."
I state it because it is such a basic concept that everyone with an IQ above 70 can understand it. You do not fall under that catergory, as it seems.
So now you think F1 stewards are not fans of the sport or drivers.
Only Herbert was, is that right?
When are you going to understand that as long as an F1 steward carries out his duties properly and by the rules, then it doesn't matter.
Even if his bias towards a driver affected his ruling, you still have 3 other stewards who must also rule. It's not like he can convince the other 3 to penalise Max if it's not warranted.
When you have 2 or more in the same roon, such as Warwick / Liuzzi or Warwick / Connelly, then it's more of a concern.
Look at all of the races where Max was penalised for something and see how many Herbert presided over. Now do the same for all the races Max didn't get a penalty when one was deserved (something you won't be able to do as a Max fan) and see how many had Derek Warwick (Honda dealer) on the panel.
All the documents are on the FIA's website and easy to research.
Have you asked the opinions of 8.2billion people before you said 'only person in the world'?
If you talk like this, with such nonsense, how can you hope to present a coherent rational argument.
"Now, why is it, the only thing you picked up on there was him being a fan of Hamilton? Why did you forget about the 'Herbert is not neutral' part?"
Because you can't be neutral when you are a fan. You are the only person in the world who thinks that.
"No, he made that clear with numerous statements. You know he is a fan of Lewis, come on."
And there you go, missing the point again. Let me clear things up for you, if I can do that without having to draw you pictures....
You said "Herbert is not neutral but openly a fan of Hamilton."
I replied "Says you".
Now, why is it, the only thing you picked up on there was him being a fan of Hamilton? Why did you forget about the 'Herbert is not neutral' part?
Seems to me, that is the important point.
All Stewards are fans of someone. But not carrying out your duties with neutrality is something else.
Now, Max fans believe that if you are not a Max fan you cannot be neutral. But as Max fans themselves, they believe in their own neutrality. Do you see the conflict there?
My' Says you' was referring to your contention about Herberts neutrality. Who he is a fan of is irrelevant (unless it's Max, I presume).
You state Herbert is not neutral, but you have no evidence to support this claim.
His neutrality to the media when discussing drivers in F1 is irrelevant. Who cares?
We all have our preferences.
But when you question his professionalism or neutrality as a steward, that's a whole different matter. I know you have zero evidence to back your claim up with. You don't. Hence 'Says you'. Because his lack of neutrality is just based on your say-so.
Let me know if you need pictures, if you're still confused.
"Very difficult to do that. How often have you seen Max fans or Lewis fans respond biased to an incident? It happens all the time and you know this too."
How do you know? Have you been a steward?
No Max or Lewis fan on here is a steward of an officiator in anything F1 related.
You cannot compare the irrationality of Max fans to an ex F1 driver and race winner who is officiating on actual F1 races.
Do you believe only Herbert has favourites? Really? You think all the other stewards are perfectly neutral?
"Maybe, maybe not. If other steward have clear favorites they are not fit to be a steward. They have be as neutral as can be. "
There is no 'maybe not'. The very idea that no remaining stewards have favourites is next to impossible.
Of course they can be fit to be stewards. How to you feel about stewards who are Max fans? Shall we sack them for their opinions?
You are conflating two different things - as all Max fans are doing right now.
Stating a driver you like (especially if it's not Max) has no correlation to how a steward carries out their duties.
Stewards cannot do things against the rules.
If a clear violation has occurred on track we do not expect to see stewards letting drivers off with 'no investigation necessary'. Max has gotten away with way more than he's been penalised for. Should I now assume stewards are closet Max fans?
If a collision occurs, it should be investigated with the same procedures as any incident. All available evidence should be looked at and adjudged accordingly, regardless of if your favourite driver is at fault or not.
There are zero confirmed cases of a decision going against Max that had anything to with personal favouritism of any steward, including Johnny Herbert. If I'm wrong in that, then cite me one instance and show me the related evidence.
"I don't care what Max fans want. I wouldn't want Herbert as a steward just as much as now, if he were a Max fan."
Easy to say that now, isn't it?
What about Derek Warwick? The rules state that no race officials can have any conflict of interests (especially business related).
Yet this man has owned a Honda dealership for years and Red Bull run Honda engines. And we have seen races where Verstappen has violated the rules (be it driving conduct or track limits) where Warwick has been a steward.
What are your thoughts on that?
"Most towards Max? No proof or indication for that, whatsoever. But you will guarantee it, right..... And this statement has nothing to do with your clear dislike for Max? right.. You think every punishment for Max is too soft because you hate the guy."
Just as you have no proof or indication that any preferences Herbert had affected his decisions as a race steward. Or will you guarantee otherwise?
Yeah when the claim is put to you that it's 'most towards Max', suddenly we see a strange belief that there can't be people out there who support the world champion more right now.
How can my clear, open and public dislike for Max make me state that I think most stewards will have a preference towards Max. Make it make sense.
You like to state it's 'hate', but if you saw how I would embody hate for Max, you would realise very quickly, that this is not it.
Would you like it to be actual hate? At least that way you can state it and be right for once. Do you want me to show you people who hate Max? Didn't I already do that?
I can show you the difference if you want.
Sometimes Max's punishments are non-existent, such as in Austin where he forced Lando off twice and received no penalty.
But then got a deserved 10s for doing the same thing at turn 4 in the next race in Mexico. Different stewards. The one's in Austin were wrong.
Do you think drivers should not be punished for forcing others off? Or do you believe it's fine because Max does it most?
Oh and finally, your standing with me has changed. I no longer consider you worthy of my civility. So just know that going forward. After your two comments earlier, you've blown that and shown yourself for who you really are. What a disappointment.
Vegan and Legend and the lesser members of that group were very upset.
They were wrong again.
The FIA General Assembly decided to remove Herbert from his role as steward,
not just 1 individual. The 245 member organization representatives agreed that
Herbert was unfit for duty. This was no small decision, but required consensus
of many, many members. This is very embarrassing for Herbert and is an action
rarely taken by the FIA.
If all members of the organization all agree herbert was unfit for the roll then herbeart had to go.think it was just not what he was say about driver think there more to it then we ever know .and this the problam with herbert he cant keep his mouth shut
'The 245 member organization representatives agreed that
Herbert was unfit for duty'
Blimey, ALL 245 representatives agreed !! Wow, that's a unanimous decision for sure, I wouldn't be able to stand in a room with 20 people and be assured we'd all agree
"(Verse)
I’m stuck in your head, it’s so clear,
Every post, my name appears.
Try to fight it, but you see,
You’re way more obsessed with me.
(Chorus)
You just can’t get me out of your head,
Round and round, wasting all your time.
Every word just proves it’s true,
Nobody’s haunting you like I do."
Sing to Kylie's "Can't get you outta my head" :)
Twice now you've made this claim that I have been wrong about something. But on bother occasions you have no stating in what way I was wrong. I wonder why.
This is so much better now he's not a steward. Max will still get penalties and you won't be able to blame Herbert next time. You'll have to hope another Brit is on the panel for you to flash your prejudices at.
Also Herbert is now a comfortable free agent. Now he can criticise Max, Joss, Horner, Red Bull all he likes without fear or hindrance. I think that's a win-win for us.
But dont worry, you can get your revenge when Max retires. You can say to us that we've got no-one to criticise now etc. :)
I only saw the few true Max haters not appreciating this step from the FIA, the very vast majority of F1 fans is happy to see this guy go. That should tell you something.
The fact that it doesn't come as a surprise to anyone also shows it was the right thing to do.
For me, I'm ok with it. I see no problems with this at all. I understand the FIA's reasons completely.
I do believe Herbert was always professional in his job and remained impartial, though. This is the part the less-informed Max fans amongst you, couldn't get past.
I think Herbert needed to make a decision between steward and pundit. I also believed the FIA should have given Herbert a warning and told him to make a choice which way he wants to go, as the two things were incompatible. He should have had the chance to choose as I believe, up until that point, the FIA have had no issues with his stewarding.
That Herbert was not afforded the chance to pick his path, is very telling and smells of the FIA kissing up to Red Bull's needs and wants yet again.
The upside to Herbert no longer being a steward is something I've made abundantly clear on a few occasions. But I'll repeat it.
Max will still get penalties, and now Max fans won't be able to blame Herbert next time. They'll have to hope another Brit is on the panel for them to flash their anti-British prejudices at.
Also Herbert is now a comfortable free agent. Now he can criticise Max, Joss, Horner, Red Bull all he likes without fear or hindrance. I think that's a win-win for us non-Max fans.
Delusional how?
Show me one person on this blog, including yourself, that isn't biased.
If only you people had something substantial to say, instead of this non-thinking bland nonsense.
Morning Legend, it doesn't help when GPBlog consider DingDongers post is worthy of a 'TOP COMMENT' highlight even though it was a personal and insulting remark
The Top Comment thing is automatic. It's based on likes, I believe.
But it does show that the majority of members on this blog, still appreciate the anti-British, anti-Lewis posts more than any other.
Then they put on this pretence that they're restraining themselves. But the likes give it all away. Some of them will hide in their likes and won't post.
It's always been clear where the biases and prejudices lie. Which is why I don't have any issues or regrets with my posts.
Yeah it's nothing to do with the GPBlog staff. All automated.
Like a good loaf of bread, we rise :) hehe.
Thanks for clarifying Legend, I've often wondered how a post makes a top comment, still we rise ?
Popular on GPBlog
Why Alonso thinks Verstappen is the best driver in Formula 1
Piastri responds to Verstappen's comments about dominating in a McLaren
Verstappen on McLaren flexi-wing images: 'People see what I see'
