FIA steward Johnny Herbert has firmly denied any accusations of bias after Max Verstappen suggested that he was being harshly treated at the Mexican Grand Prix. The Dutchman has been outspoken in his criticism of the sport’s governing body lately.
Herbert was part of the stewarding panel that handed Verstappen two 10-second time penalties at the Mexican GP, and then at the Brazilian Grand Prix when he picked up a five-second penalty for a virtual safety car infringement.
The 60-year-old also gave comments to the media after the race in Mexico, criticising Verstappen’s aggressive behaviour and suggesting that the three-time world champion should tone things down in his battle with Lando Norris.
These comments did not go down well with the Verstappen camp. Father Jos even hit back, telling Dutch media: “I think a steward shouldn’t talk to the press at all and just deliver work all the time. And that’s certainly not the case now.”
Herbert has now hit back. “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 told SafestBettingSites.co.uk.
“When I am a steward, I do not express any opinions. “Everyone has an opinion. Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I am not at the race track? The race track has been my world for 50 years. If I don’t quite agree with what I see on the race track I will say so. It is not just Max. I’ll criticise anyone if I feel it is warranted.
“I understand it from Jos’s point of view because it is his son. Is there any bias? No, of course not. I wasn’t the only one to think that Max was over the top in Mexico. Lando Norris and Zak Brown thought so too.
“When I do speak to people on a Monday or Tuesday that is outside my stewarding responsibilities. Jos has always been very outspoken about what is happening at Red Bull. Is that his position to be? It is all very similar. If you have an opinion and you want to make it, then you can.”
For Verstappen, the victory in Interlagos may have eased some of the frustrations felt on his side. His lead over Norris has now been stretched to a mighty 62 points with three races remaining, all but ending the Brit’s chances of securing a maiden Drivers’ Championship crown.
