The FIA has confirmed that Johnny Herbert will no longer serve as a Formula 1 steward, citing a conflict of interest between his role as an official and his work as a media pundit.
Herbert, a former F1 driver, had been part of the FIA’s pool of ex-professionals chosen to assist in officiating race incidents. However, scrutiny over his stewarding role increased after the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, where he played a role in issuing two penalties to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Following the event, Herbert, in partnership with a betting company, publicly commented on the penalties. This commercial association ultimately led to his removal.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FIA acknowledged Herbert’s contributions while explaining the reasoning behind the decision:
“It is with regret that we announce Johnny Herbert will no longer serve as an F1 driver steward for the FIA. Johnny is widely respected and brought invaluable experience to his role. However, after discussion, it was mutually agreed that his duties as an FIA steward and his role as a media pundit were incompatible. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Herbert previously worked as a pundit for Sky Sports F1, even while serving as a steward. However, he did not take on both roles simultaneously during a race weekend. Sky dropped him from its F1 presenting lineup ahead of the 2023 season, but he has remained active in motorsport commentary.
Reports indicate that his commercial ties to betting companies—which often involve discussing controversial racing incidents to generate media coverage—ultimately led to his removal. In addition to his comments about Verstappen in Mexico, Herbert also weighed in on the Dutchman’s collision with Oscar Piastri (McLaren) in Abu Dhabi and his clash with Mercedes’ George Russell late in the season.
F1 stewarding decisions remain a hot topic, with drivers regularly advocating for a permanent panel of officials. George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), has been among those pushing for consistency in stewarding decisions.
However, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has resisted the idea of permanent stewards, citing financial and logistical challenges in training and funding a full-time panel. Currently, FIA stewards serve as unpaid volunteers, with their travel and expenses covered by the governing body.
Herbert’s departure highlights the FIA’s commitment to maintaining neutrality in race officiating, particularly amid growing concerns over external influences on stewarding decisions.
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