The FIA has officially axed Johnny Herbert from his role as an F1 driver steward, citing a conflict of interest stemming from his media and gambling affiliations—and his outspoken criticism of Max Verstappen.
🚨 This decision comes after a string of controversies, including Herbert’s involvement in penalizing Verstappen at the 2024 Mexico Grand Prix.
With the FIA already facing backlash over stewarding inconsistencies, this move raises serious questions about bias, fairness, and external influences on Formula 1 decision-making.
Why Was Johnny Herbert Fired?
Herbert, a three-time Grand Prix winner and former Sky Sports F1 analyst, had served as an FIA race steward for years. However, his dual role as a media personality and his work with a gambling outlet sparked ethical concerns.
📢 The FIA’s official statement:
“It is with regret that we announce today that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfil the position of F1 driver steward for the FIA. Johnny is widely respected and brought invaluable experience and expertise to his role. However, after discussion, it was mutually agreed that his duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
But the real story goes deeper—his criticism of Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s on-track conduct appears to have played a major role in his exit.
The Verstappen Controversy: Was Herbert Pushed Out?
Herbert was heavily involved in the Mexico GP incident, where Verstappen was hit with a 20-second penalty for aggressive defensive moves against title rival Lando Norris.
This decision infuriated Red Bull, with Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, publicly questioning the FIA’s steward selection process.
📢 Jos Verstappen on FIA stewards:
“The FIA should review the composition of the stewards. We cannot have conflicts of interest influencing race outcomes.”
Coincidence? Unlikely.
🚨 This isn’t the first time Red Bull-affiliated figures have successfully pressured the FIA into removing stewards.
FIA’s Latest Shakeups: Is Red Bull Pulling the Strings?
Herbert isn’t the only casualty in the FIA’s recent wave of steward dismissals:
🔴 Tim Mayer—Son of McLaren’s founder, dismissed in November 2024 after criticizing Red Bull-related decisions.
🔴 Niels Wittich—Fired as race director after a controversial red flag call at the Brazilian GP that harmed Red Bull’s qualifying chances.
💬 The pattern? Each of these officials had rulings or opinions that went against Verstappen and Red Bull.
🚨 Is the FIA caving to pressure from Red Bull?
This growing trend of FIA steward removals raises major concerns about external influence in race officiating—and whether the sport’s governance is truly impartial.
The Verdict: A Power Struggle Inside F1?
✅ Herbert’s dismissal signals a crackdown on stewards with media influence—but also raises suspicions of Red Bull’s growing control over FIA decision-making.
✅ The Verstappen-Mexico penalty controversy looms large, with the FIA appearing to sideline stewards who go against Red Bull’s interests.
✅ With multiple officials now ousted, F1 fans are left wondering—who really holds the power in Formula 1?
What Happens Next?
🔹 Who will replace Herbert? Will the FIA appoint more “Red Bull-friendly” stewards moving forward?
🔹 Will this impact Verstappen’s treatment in 2025? With Herbert gone, will race officials be more lenient toward aggressive driving?
🔹 Is F1 governance truly impartial? Or is the FIA becoming a battlefield for team influence?
One thing is clear: this is more than just one firing—this is a power shift inside Formula 1.
📢 Do you think the FIA made the right call, or is Red Bull gaining too much influence?
