Following the news in January that Johnny Herbert would no longer serve as a Formula 1 Steward for the 2025 season, the former race winner speaks out on the circumstances of his firing.
Speaking out for the first time since the news of his firing, Johnny Herbert hit out at the FIA. Citing a conflict of interest, with Herbert serving both as a steward and a pundit, he was fired by the FIA in January.
“It was all to do with chitter-chatter to the FIA“
Speaking to CasinoApps.com, Herbert noted that concerns of any conflict of interest initially came from outside of the FIA. He noted he was fired via phone call, although he believed he would continue for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
“Certain people spoke to [FIA president] Mohammed Ben Sulayem about sacking me.” He said, harking back to Jos Verstappen’s comments following last year’s Mexican Grand Prix. “It didn’t come from within the FIA initially. It was all to do with chitter-chatter to the FIA that made them change their point of view.
“Everything I’d done all year long in 2024 had been discussed and accepted. Two days before I was eventually given the sack over the phone, I’d been told all was good for 2025. Then it wasn’t.
“I understand how everything came about. But I am not going to point the finger. But as I said, there were certain people who did actually speak with the president and that’s why the president finally made that decision to get rid of me.”
“I felt that I was doing the best job and with no bias towards anybody.“
He continued to refute any implications of British bias within his role as he reflected on the events. Herbert claims he showed no bias towards anybody in carrying out his stewarding duties. He took aim at Jos and Max Verstappen however, suggesting they fuel the fire of claims of bias within the sport.
“The Verstappens keep intimating there’s a bias,” Herbert claimed. “I keep reading about the supposed bias. I read that and then wonder, ‘so I can’t support a British driver because I’m British?’ I can’t support Lewis or George or Lando? It’s ridiculous.
“But coming the other way is fine apparently as was the case in what happened with me. If you’re a Dutchman, you can sort of have a go at the Brits and say the Brits have got no real morals for how they are as race fans. It’s supposed to go both ways isn’t it.
“I’m absolutely fine with [parting ways with the FIA]. It was upsetting at the time because I enjoyed it, and I felt that I was doing the best job and with no bias towards anybody.”
“There does seem to be a more controlling factor coming into play”
Moving on from his firing, Herbert accused the FIA of having a heavy-handed approach to governance. This comes following the barring of Robert Reid and David Richards from Wednesday’s World Motorsport Council meeting.
It is rumoured that the pair were refused admission due to not signing an NDA. This comes following a number of controversial changes which have called Ben Sulayem’s leadership into question in recent months.
“The FIA are more controlling than before and now have a heavy-handed way of dealing with things,” Johnny Herbert said. “There does seem to be a more controlling factor coming into play.
“Dave Richards was one of those who refused to sign an NDA and therefore wasn’t allowed into the room for the World Motor Sport Council meeting earlier this week. Dave’s been around the world for many a decade [as a former British American Racing team principal who also heads Motorsport UK] and a big part of the FIA at the same time.
“Signing an NDA and confidentiality agreements is not the norm, but it’s becoming the norm. There definitely seems to be a more heavy-handed way of dealing with things now.”
