F1 legend Johnny Herbert has had his say over who should replace Damon Hill at Sky Sports.
Hill is stepping down from his punditry role at the end of this season, almost two years after Herbert was abruptly axed by the broadcaster. And the latest shake-up has left fans to wonder who could step into the 1996 world champion’s shoes.
Herbert believes that an F1 star who was sacked midway through this season would be a good fit. “Daniel Ricciardo [would be my pick],” he told FlashscoreUSA.com.
“He has the experience, the smiley face, is telegenic and is very popular. He has a nice demeanour and a very good way of sharing the experience that he has had. He has had good and bad times too. All those experiences are what people want to hear about. Daniel would be a good addition.”
Whether Ricciardo would be interested in taking up a full-time punditry role remains to be seen. The 35-year-old was still an active competitor less than two months ago, with September’s Singapore Grand Prix proving to be his last.
And the Aussie’s VCARB exit likely signalled the end of his F1 career overall, having struggled to make an impact alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
His bubbly personality combined with five successful years at Red Bull, during which he claimed seven of his eight career Grand Prix victories, would make him a standout candidate on paper. And a turbulent final few years on the grid have left him with plenty of stories to tell.
Herbert is adamant that, no matter which direction Sky Sports head in to fill the vacancy left by Hill, F1 experience should be at the very top of their job role requirements. “There is always a time when refreshing a team will come into play,” he continued. “Knowledge is very important.
“You have Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion. Why would you not want him to be part of it because of the knowledge he has gained through the good and bad times?
“I only won three Grands Prix but my knowledge and experience of really dark times, when I had my accident, and the best of times, when I finished fourth in the Drivers’ Championship, helped me. There has been a shift and there are a lot more women in the paddock, which is a good thing. But experience pays dividends for the fans who are watching.”
