Herbert hits back at Verstappens’ bias claims, accuses FIA of being “heavy-handed”

Sacked FIA race steward Johnny Herbert has taken aim at Formula 1’s governing body and hit back at accusations of bias.

Herbert was dropped as an F1 steward one month ago after the FIA decided his “duties as a steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible”.

The shock announcement came after he found himself at the centre of a row involving world champion Max Verstappen and his father Jos. Herbert was on the body of stewards that presided over last year’s Mexico Grand Prix where the Red Bull driver was given two 10-second penalties for two incidents with McLaren’s Lando Norris.

It sparked accusations from Jos Verstappen that “the FIA should take a good look at the staffing of the stewards, who they put there and whether there is no appearance of a conflict of interest”.

Speaking to CasinoApps.com, Herbert said: “Certain people spoke to [FIA president] Mohammed Ben Sulayem about sacking me. It didn’t come from within the FIA initially. It was all to do with chitter chatter to the FIA that made them change their point of view.

“Everything I’d done all year long in 2024 had been discussed and accepted.

“Two days before I was eventually given the sack over the phone, I’d been told all was good for 2025. Then it wasn’t.

“I understand how everything came about. But I am not going to point the finger. But as I said, there were certain people who did actually speak with the president and that’s why the president finally made that decision to get rid of me.”

Reflecting on the decision and accusations of British bias, Herbert added: “The Verstappens keep intimating there’s a bias.

“I keep reading about the supposed bias. I read that and then wonder, ‘so I can’t support a British driver because I’m British?’ I can’t support Lewis or George or Lando. It’s ridiculous.

“But coming the other way is fine apparently as was the case in what happened with me.

“If you’re a Dutchman, you can sort of have a go at the Brits and say the Brits have got no real morals for how they are as race fans. It’s supposed to go both ways isn’t it.

“I’m absolutely fine with [parting ways with the FIA]. It was upsetting at the time because I enjoyed it, and I felt that I was doing the best job and with no bias towards anybody.”

Herbert has also weighed in on claims that Ben Sulayem demanded members of the world motorsport council signed non-disclosure agreements, after British duo Robert Reid and David Richards were barred from a meeting on Wednesday after refusing to sign NDAs.

Herbert accused the FIA of being “more controlling” and having a “heavy-handed” approach. He said: “The FIA are more controlling than before and now have a heavy-handed way of dealing with things. There does seem to be a more controlling factor coming into play.

David Richards and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

“Dave Richards was one of those who refused to sign an NDA and therefore wasn’t allowed into the room for the World Motor Sport Council meeting earlier this week.

“Dave’s been around the world for many a decade [as a former British American Racing team principal who also heads Motorsport UK] and a big part of the FIA at the same time.

“Signing an NDA and confidentiality agreements is not the norm, but it’s becoming the norm. There definitely seems to be a more heavy-handed way of dealing with things now.”