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F1’s Civil War: Johnny Herbert Exposes Unprecedented Driver Unity and Rising Tensions with FIA Under Ben Sulayem

Harry Stone by Harry Stone
December 17, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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F1’s Civil War: Johnny Herbert Exposes Unprecedented Driver Unity and Rising Tensions with FIA Under Ben Sulayem

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is seen before the race REUTERS/Rula Rouhana

Formula 1 has always been a pressure cooker of rivalries and controversies, but 2024 has taken tensions to a boiling point. Former F1 driver and now FIA-appointed race steward Johnny Herbert has given a behind-the-scenes glimpse into a season unlike any other, calling it “the most contentious year ever.”

Herbert, a veteran of the sport, described a paddock buzzing with frustration and unity as drivers increasingly find themselves at odds with the FIA, particularly under the leadership of President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The trigger? A mix of controversial decisions, rising scrutiny, and a bizarre saga involving swearing—yes, swearing.

Max Verstappen’s Explosive Clash with the FIA Sparked Driver Rebellion

At the center of the storm stood Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s four-time world champion. After unleashing expletives in frustration over his ill-performing car earlier this year, Verstappen was promptly censured by the FIA. Rather than isolate the Dutchman, the reprimand backfired spectacularly, uniting F1 drivers like never before.

With the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) stepping up in solidarity, the backlash toward FIA leadership was fierce, further fueling an already tense atmosphere. Drivers, often divided by fierce on-track rivalries, suddenly became a “pack”—a rare sight in modern F1.

Herbert revealed: “The drivers are more unified than ever as well. They are very opinionated. I haven’t seen such a togetherness for more than 30 years.”

The underlying cause? Growing dissatisfaction with the FIA’s decisions, scrutiny of race stewards, and what many perceive as inconsistent officiating. Herbert explained the growing defiance from drivers and teams: “It is good that they do have a say. The more they do, the more they get listened to.”

Behind Closed Doors: Stewards’ Decisions Under Relentless Pressure

As an FIA steward, Herbert has found himself in the eye of the storm, witnessing firsthand how split-second calls can snowball into controversies dissected by pundits, fans, and teams. Yet he maintains that the role, while thankless, is not cause for lingering hostility.

“Within the paddock, you just move on. Yes, you have your disagreements and frustrations, but you just move on. That’s the only way. There is no lingering animosity with drivers or their fathers,” Herbert said, likely referencing high-profile paddock figures often seen lobbying for their sons or teams.

Despite the immense pressure, Herbert believes there’s mutual respect in the paddock: “Everyone knows being a steward is a difficult job. I have not felt it has impacted any relationships I have in the paddock.”

Is FIA Leadership Under Ben Sulayem at Breaking Point?

The unity among drivers has amplified scrutiny of the FIA’s governance under Ben Sulayem. From over-policing driver behavior to inconsistent penalties, the growing sense of frustration is palpable. The Verstappen swearing saga, which spiraled into a global headline-grabbing fiasco, was a turning point that underscored how tense the relationship between the FIA and drivers has become.

What used to be isolated frustrations now feels like a full-scale rift, with the FIA increasingly positioned as the “common enemy,” as Herbert subtly hints.

A Turning Point for Formula 1

For Herbert, the drama and disagreements come with the territory in a sport that thrives on razor-thin margins. But the newfound driver unity—perhaps born of mutual frustrations—has added a fresh layer of unpredictability to F1’s already high-stakes world.

As F1 races toward 2025, the question remains: can the FIA regain control of the narrative, or will the drivers’ collective voice force lasting change? Either way, the paddock remains a battlefield, with Max Verstappen and his rivals leading a rebellion against the status quo.

For fans and pundits, it’s a tantalizing time. For Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the FIA? It’s a ticking time bomb.


One thing is clear: Formula 1’s power struggle is just beginning, and the drivers aren’t backing down anytime soon.

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