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FIA Fires Johnny Herbert Over ‘Conflict of Interest’ – Ben Sulayem Demands ‘New Blood’ in Stewarding

Publisher by Publisher
February 8, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Controversy Erupts Over FIA Governance Reforms: Critics Slam ‘Inexcusable’ Power Shift

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - December 1, 2024 FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

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In yet another shake-up at the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Johnny Herbert has been dismissed from his long-held role as an F1 steward—marking the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the sport’s governing body.

According to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Herbert’s dual role as a media figure and steward was deemed a conflict of interest, raising concerns over bias in race officiating. While Herbert had been expected to return as a steward for the 2025 F1 season opener in Australia, his contract was abruptly terminated.

This decision underscores the FIA’s increasing scrutiny on race control integrity, following multiple stewarding controversies in recent seasons. But with Ben Sulayem also promising a complete revamp of race officiating, what does this mean for the future of Formula 1 governance?

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Ben Sulayem: “You Can’t Be a Journalist and a Steward”

Herbert, a former F1 driver with a career spanning 1989 to 2000, had served as an FIA steward for 15 years—but his growing involvement in media work ultimately cost him the job.

Speaking to Spanish publication Marca, Ben Sulayem didn’t mince words:

“Johnny was a very good commissioner, but then there was a conflict of interest, and he knows that.
You can’t be a journalist in a big company and express your point of view, then play the commissioner, who is a referee.”

The FIA boss highlighted the potential ethical dilemma, questioning how Herbert’s personal opinions as a media personality could influence his judgment as a steward:

“What if the driver you prefer is fighting for first or second place? How do you make your judgment?”

Herbert took the dismissal graciously, acknowledging the “tough decisions” the FIA had to make, while Ben Sulayem thanked him for his contributions.

“New Blood” Coming to the FIA: A Full Overhaul of Stewarding

Herbert’s dismissal is just one piece of a larger restructuring effort within the FIA. Ben Sulayem made it abundantly clear that the governing body is undergoing major personnel changes, particularly in its race officiating ranks:

“We should not be limited, and that is why tomorrow with the stewards we will have new blood.”

This move follows a tumultuous end to the 2024 season, which saw the sudden firing of Race Director Niels Wittich just a week before the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Wittich, who had served as F1’s lead Race Director since 2023, was replaced by Formula 2’s Rui Marques.

Ben Sulayem has now confirmed that multiple race directors will oversee 2025, although specific names have yet to be announced.

“Who and how many is a question we will know soon, in the next few days. But for sure there will be new blood, and there will be more than one [race director]. That’s for sure.”

A ‘More Professional’ FIA – But Will It Solve the Problems?

The FIA’s decision to widen its stewarding pool is a direct response to the growing unrest among drivers over inconsistent race rulings. F1’s Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis has already promised that the FIA will be “a more professional body”, with the creation of a dedicated officials’ department aimed at improving transparency and credibility.

However, with the ghost of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversy still looming over F1 officiating—and drivers continuing to voice concerns over inconsistent stewarding—will these sweeping changes actually restore faith in race control? Or will the FIA’s latest overhaul only deepen the governance crisis in the sport?

One thing is clear: the days of F1’s old stewarding regime are over, and 2025 will mark a new era of race control—whether the paddock likes it or not.

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