Johnny Herbert has hit back at Jos Verstappen after the Dutchman criticised Herbert for talking to the media and expressing his views while part of the Formula 1 stewarding team. The former British driver has defended his actions. Herbert was a steward during the Mexican Grand Prix when Max Verstappen picked up two ten-second penalties and he was a steward in Brazil.
In Brazil, Jos Verstappen expressed his see that Herbert shouldn’t conversation to the media whereas being an FIA steward. Max Verstappen’s dad was reacting to Herbert’s comments, which gave his sees on the Formula 1 World Championship and saw him explain the stewards’ decision to penalise Verstappen amid the Mexican Grand Prix. Now, Herbert has hit back.
“As I have continuously said, I am Johnny Herbert the steward and the professional during a race weekend and Johnny Herbert a pundit at other times who expresses what he thinks,” the Brit said in a conversation with SafestBettingSites.co.uk. So when the former Formula 1 driver is assigned as a steward by the FIA – such as in Mexico and Brazil – he says he remains absolutely objective. “When I am a steward, I don’t express any conclusions,” he said.
Will Herbert stop talking to the media?
The Verstappen family finds it extraordinary that Herbert is permitted to speak basically within the press, while balancing his part as a steward a few times a year. It raises the suggestion that Herbert is biased, in spite of the fact that he denied that last week since there are other stewards within the room from diverse nations. Max Verstappen, in any case, found certain explanations made by the steward “abnormal” and believes his credibility is at stake.
“Everyone has an opinion. Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I am not at the racetrack? The circuit has been my world for 50 years. If I do not quite concur with what I see on the course I will say so. It isn’t just Max. I’ll criticise anyone if I feel it is justified,” the Brit clarified.
He continued:
“I get it it from Jos’s point of see since it is his child. Is there any bias? No, of course not. I wasn’t the only one to think that Max was over the beat in Mexico. Lando Norris and Zak Brown thought so as well”. It is arguably striking that Herbert uses those two cases. As a World Championship rival to Verstappen and Red Bull, Norris and Brown will not have been entirely objective.
Comparison with Jos Verstappen
Herbert considers the issue is made far as well big. He doesn’t see the problem with it.
“When I do speak to people on a Monday or Tuesday that is outside my stewarding responsibilities,” after which he draws comparisons with Verstappen sr. “Jos has always been very outspoken about what is happening at Red Bull. Is that his position to be? It is all very similar. If you have an opinion and you want to make it, then you can.”
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