Johnny Herbert sends Max Verstappen message after being sacked as F1 steward

Johnny Herbert has been removed from his relation arsenic an F1 steward for the FIA aft the governing assemblage decided his punditry enactment was incompatible with the position

Johnny Herbert has opened up astir wherefore helium was fto spell by the FIA, with a defiant connection connected his sacking.

The Formula 1 veteran, astatine 60 years old, finds himself barred from stewarding races owed to conflicting commitments. Herbert's enactment with betting websites, wherever helium discussed controversies successful the sport, led to complaints astir the situation, including from Max Verstappen and his begetter Jos.

In his relation arsenic an F1 steward, Herbert was expected to support neutrality, but his commentaries person led to his dismissal. Previously a pundit for Sky Sports, Herbert was removed from their roster aft the 2022 season.

The quality of his dismissal was formally conveyed by the FIA connected Wednesday morning. And Herbert has present issued a connection of his ain to to explicit his feelings astir the situation, insisting helium ne'er allowed bias to play a portion successful his determination making arsenic a steward.

He said: "I'm precise grateful for the accidental of being an FIA operator steward and I person thoroughly enjoyed the relation I person been progressive successful implicit the years. It is simply a hard occupation and determination are pugnacious decisions that person to beryllium made.

"As stewards, we person and volition proceed to dainty some drivers and squad unit with the utmost respect and stay impartial astatine each times during each F1 Grand Prix weekends. Finally, l'm precise grateful to the president and everyone astatine the FIA for the opportunities that I person been given."

Having served arsenic an FIA steward for a decennary and a half, Herbert's tenure became precarious pursuing the Mexico City Grand Prix, wherever helium faced disapproval aft critiquing Verstappen's actions, reports the Express.

Herbert was owed to reprise the relation again this season, opening with the Australian Grand Prix successful March. As it announced that the three-time F1 contention victor would nary longer beryllium portion of its stewarding pool, the FIA expressed its disappointment that the concern had led to this outcome.

Their connection read: "It is with regret that we denote contiguous that Johnny Herbert volition nary longer fulfil the presumption of F1 operator steward for the FIA. Johnny is wide respected and brought invaluable acquisition and expertise to his role.

"However, aft discussion, it was mutually agreed that his duties arsenic an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible. We convey him for his work and privation him good successful his aboriginal endeavours."