Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has been dropped as a steward by the FIA because of his work as a “media pundit”.
“It’s with remorse that we announce right now that Johnny Herbert will now not fulfil the place of F1 driver steward for the FIA,” stated the game’s governing physique in a short assertion.
“Johnny is extensively revered and introduced invaluable expertise and experience to his function,” it continued. “Nonetheless, after dialogue, it was mutually agreed that his duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit have been incompatible.
“We thank him for his service and need him effectively in his future endeavours.”
The Briton had beforehand been dropped by Sky on the finish of 2022, having carried out his duties as a stewards alongside his work as a pundit for the broadcaster, however by no means on the identical race weekend.
Herbert was one of many stewards on quite a lot of controversial race weekends, not least final 12 months’s Mexican Grand Prix which noticed Max Verstappen penalised twice.
As a pundit for a betting firm, Herbert subsequently commented on the penalties, later voicing his opinion on the Dutch driver’s conflict with Oscar Piastri at the beginning of the Abu Dhabi season finale.
His feedback led to widespread criticism on-line, and whereas stewards are all the time going to come back in for some flack it was his feedback as a pundit in relation to those occasions that left the FIA trying susceptible at a time it was already below assault.
At the same time as a pundit, Herbert was by no means removed from criticism, famously being put down by Fernando Alonso in 2016 when he doubted the Spaniard’s dedication and skill, urging him to retire.
“You ended up as a commentator, since you’re not a world champion,” the Spaniard subsequently advised the Briton throughout a dwell broadcast.
The information comes at a time the FIA is trying to “professionalise” its stewarding, which is usually carried out by volunteers, who’re then left open to provides from betting corporations and the like, particularly if some well-chosen phrases may result in a publicity increase for stated firm.
