Removing Herbert as FIA F1 steward “the right decision”

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes Formula 1’s governing body the FIA was right to part ways with steward Johnny Herbert.

On Wednesday the FIA stated that Herbert, a long-time driver steward as the veteran of 160 grand prix starts, would no longer act as a steward at race weekends.

The FIA felt Herbert’s media activities, especially those as a pundit for gambling websites, were incompatible with the role of a steward.

“Johnny is widely respected and brought invaluable experience and expertise to his role,” the FIA communicated. “However, after discussion, it was mutually agreed that his duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible.”

Red Bull chief Horner, whose driver Max Verstappen was regularly at odds with Herbert last year, said the 60-year-old’s removal was the correct decision, though refuting suggestions the four-time world champion had anything to do with the matter.

“Well, firstly, absolutely nothing to do with Max, but absolutely the right decision,” Horner told Sky Sports F1 at the Autosport Awards in London. “You cannot have stewards working in the media. You don’t have it in the Premiership. You don’t have any other form of professional sport. It’s totally inappropriate.

“You’re either on the sporting regulatory side or you’re on the media side. You can’t have a foot in both camps.”

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen’s father Jos had also been critical of Herbert’s dual roles, saying “a steward shouldn’t talk to the press at all”, while Herbert felt there was no conflict of interest between his different activities.

“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,” he said in November. “When I do speak to people on a Monday or Tuesday that is outside my stewarding responsibilities.”

Herbert’s dismissal for taking on punditry gigs further highlighted a desire by many in motorsport for FIA stewards to become full-time professionals instead of relying on part-time volunteers, a stance taken by McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

“To have part-time, unpaid stewards in a multi-billion-dollar sport where everything is on the line to make the right call… I don’t think we are set up for success by not having full-time stewards,” Brown said at the Autosport Business Exchange: London.

“As far as paying for the stewards, this will probably be unpopular amongst my fellow teams. I’m happy if McLaren and all the racing teams contribute. It’s so important for the sport. It can’t be that expensive if everybody contributes. It’s not going to break the bank.”