Johnny Herbert enjoyed his stint as FIA steward after being let off, as he reiterates that they will continue to be impartial with their decisions.
The FIA announced the departure of Herbert as a steward on Wednesday morning, citing incompatibility as the reason considering his dual role of being a F1 pundit and a steward. The Brit wasn’t working with Sky Sports as such, but he was giving bytes to media portal which promoted gambling.
It was the likely cause for the FIA and Herbert decide mutually that the Brit can no longer remain as the steward from 2025 onward. Since the announcement, the speculation still continued that he was dropped because of his ongoing back and forth with Jos and Max Verstappen.
Herbert was not the only one to the decisions that the stewards took during the course of F1 2024, but the Brit was outspoken about it. He defended himself several times in media about being impartial, which he reiterated in his parting message after the announcement.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity of being an FIA Driver Steward and I have thoroughly enjoyed the role I have been involved in over the years,” wrote Herbert. “It is a difficult job and there are tough decisions that have to be made.
“As Stewards, we have and will continue to treat both drivers and team personnel with the utmost respect and remain impartial at all times during all F1 Grand Prix weekends. Finally, I’m very grateful to the President and everyone at the FIA for the opportunities that I have been given.”
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