Johnny Herbert sacked as F1 steward by FIA just weeks before 2025 season
Johnny Herbert sacked as F1 steward by FIA just weeks before 2025 season
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The former F1 driver was in line to be a steward at the season-opening race in Australia but was criticised by Jos Verstappen last year for his dual role as steward and pundit. Johnny Herbert has been sacked as an F1 steward by the FIA due to the “incompatibility” of his dual role as a steward and media pundit.
Former F1 driver Herbert was critical of Max Verstappen’s driving style in Mexico last year, when the four-time world champion received a 20-second penalty, prompting father Jos to rebuke: “I think a steward shouldn’t talk to the press at all.”.
Herbert, 60, revealed this week that he was set to be a steward for the season-opening race in Australia on 16 March. However, in a shock statement, the FIA stated on Wednesday morning that Herbert would no longer fulfil the position of F1 driver steward in Melbourne and beyond.
An FIA statement read: “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.”.
When criticised by the Verstappens last year, Herbert fired back and maintained his views as a pundit could be separated from his rulings as a steward. “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,” Herbert said, in November.
