Herbert Out: Could Paid Stewards Transform Fairness in Formula 1?
Jan.30 - It's rumoured at least two teams, including Red Bull, asked the FIA to consider removing controversial Formula 1 steward Johnny Herbert from its roster.
Herbert, who was publicly criticised by Max Verstappen and his father Jos last year for alleged pro-British bias and airing those views in published media interviews, was scheduled to be the driver steward at the 2025 season opener in Melbourne.
Jos Verstappen told Dutch media during the 2024 season: "The FIA should take a good look at the staffing of the stewards, who they put there and whether there is no appearance of a conflict of interest."
Herbert, 60, hit back, defending his parallel media work for a range of gambling websites that other outspoken former drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya also partake in.
"Everyone has an opinion," he said at the time. "Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can't I when I am not at the racetrack?
"It is not just Max - I will criticise anyone if I feel it is warranted. Is there any bias? No, of course not."
However, on Wednesday, the FIA declared that it has been "mutually agreed that (Herbert's) duties as an FIA steward and those of a media pundit were incompatible".
"We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours."
In his own statement, Herbert said he was "grateful" to the FIA for his years as a steward. "It is a difficult job and there are tough decisions that have to be made," said the former Benetton, Sauber and Jaguar driver.
"As 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 grand prix weekends."
At the very same time, McLaren CEO Zak Brown was declaring at the Autosport Business Exchange conference in London that F1 should end the era of non-permanent and unpaid stewards.
"I don't think we're set up for success by not having full-time stewards," he said.
"As far as paying for stewards, this will probably be unpopular amongst my fellow teams but I'm happy if McLaren and all the racing teams contribute. I think it's so important for the sport."
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I wasn't one bit surprised when I found out about his sacking, although I didn't know he was originally supposed to be on the panel in Melbourne again.
A paid panel attending all events would probably be the way to go, but easier said than done in the big picture.
Oh good news people finally coming to their sence then let the next one be Martin Brundle who's done as much damage as anyone else, let's have a brand new year allround for 2025.
Martin Brundle has never been involved with the FIA.
Brundle has criticised MV, driving style a few times attempting to stir problems for him.
I know that , a sky pundit of sorts but as an ex fi driver he should probably have a bit more rest pect for certain drivers who doesn't need his personal opinion & stick to reporting the race without giving his opinion on the drivers or how they race, they are all different & got their own style of racing like it or not.
You and Stroppy aren’t the least bit biased against Lewis then Don.Everyone but everyone is biased to some degree, if you like what they say it’s almost not at all if you don’t like what they say they are the worst thing since sliced bread and should be sacked.
The vastly experienced JH will be replaced with another Bin Laden lackey terrified to criticize the strength of the tea if he’s being paid. Just another drone.
Be careful what you wish for
I wholeheartedly agree
Time Brundle was kicked into touch
The Hill and Brundle team were the most obviously biased pair I recon
Yeah, but if the ex f1 drivers were removed from sky, whoyd replace them, suggestions?
We got JB, what about Kimi Rakkonen & Seb Vettel.
Don't forget the girls.
Mikka Hakinen as strait a man as you'll get.
Tut, tut, Blo when I open my phone in the morning I am looking at probably 3 different episodes of Sir lulu's progress with Ferrari 'same when he drove for merc'after a while it gets irritating, I'm not in love with Sir nor do I hate him it's just to much of him.,, I think I might just sit down & watch Martin Brundle & sir lulu reminiscing over Sir lulu's past achievements on his home cinema screen, there what a way to spend the afternoon.
Blo I just wish that I didn't have to see & hear so damn much o sir lulu. What more have I got to say.
Don’t blame him blame social media.
But that is exactly what I'm saying Blo, social media is to blame & if anyone can stop it it's SHROPP.
I have stated on this and other sites that there should be a team of 9 to 11 permanent Stewards year after year to keep all decisions even and informed. All of the Stewards should be very well-versed in all of the rules. Paying them is something that I had not considered, however, I believed it would be a good thing to keep everything even and above board.
My lawyers are monitoring this thread, I've asked Torger for his thoughts on this and he said, he thinks its being manipulated or something like that, As for Ferrari's new driver, all this press attention , is them setting her up for a fall when she fails, or starts whinging/crying on the radio......Which She Will....
Shropp, I just feel encased, surrounded, mentally strained by all this sir lulu cxxp is he the the next thing since the lord himself, please let it stop Shropp.
Stop going on social media it’s all lies for click bait. Half the pictures are fake and all the stories are fake. You will become addicted if you aren’t already. Be strong.
So what your saying is,all the stuff about Louise on social media is also fake, aha.. yes I can go for that one, but the print media thats all true Clarkson tells me so
Donalf its interesting you mention "The Lord" as its 40 days and nights to quali in Aus, perhaps it will be Bibical for a different reason.
Hype does not win races.
On the subject on paid stewards, I honestly don't think it would makk a hapeth of difference, voluntary stewards do it because they love the sport & will do their best to get it right whereas a paid steward 50 50 as he is getting paid to do a job,, I think in the past dozen or so races it's all been about confusion of the rules, make the rules black & white so we can all understand them then make sure the drivers stick to them then we can all agree on the penalties given.
I thought Herbert was already paid, by Mercedes 😄
We must object, that allegation has never been proved before a court, said Torgers Legal Team in a quick response
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