Christian Horner Backs FIA’s Decision to Drop Johnny Herbert as F1 Steward
Christian Horner has spoken out in support of the FIA’s decision to part ways with long-time Formula 1 steward and former driver Johnny Herbert. The governing body confirmed this week that Herbert would not continue in his role for the 2025 season, citing a conflict of interest between his duties as a steward and his work as an F1 pundit.
The FIA’s statement clarified that the decision was mutual, emphasizing that Herbert’s media role, which involves providing opinions and analysis on F1 events, was not compatible with his responsibilities as a steward. The move comes after ongoing debates over whether individuals serving as race officials should also be allowed to comment on the sport in a public capacity.
Herbert, who enjoyed a successful racing career before transitioning into his stewarding role, acknowledged the difficulty of the job in his response to the announcement. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and stated that he had “thoroughly enjoyed” his time officiating in Formula 1.
Horner, the Red Bull team principal, addressed speculation linking Herbert’s departure to an incident involving Max Verstappen in 2024. The Dutch driver’s father, Jos Verstappen, had previously criticized Herbert, suggesting a conflict of interest after Max was handed a controversial 20-second penalty at the Mexican Grand Prix. However, Horner dismissed any connection between the penalty and Herbert’s exit, firmly backing the FIA’s decision.
Horner discusses Herbert’s FIA axe
The former Benetton driver was criticised by Jos Verstappen last season, with the father of four-time world champion, Max Verstappen, stating that there was a ‘conflict of interest’ between Herbert’s role as a steward and a pundit.
These quotes came after Verstappen was awarded a 20-second time penalty at the Mexican Grand Prix, where he came under fire for his ‘aggressive’ racing style against Lando Norris.
However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has since broken his silence on the shock axing of Herbert, and claimed it was not related to the penalty imposed on Verstappen.
The 51-year-old went on to state that the FIA had made the ‘right decision’, and claimed that stewards should not work in the media.
“Firstly, it has absolutely nothing to do with Max. But it’s absolutely the right decision,” Horner told Sky Sports News. “You cannot have stewards working in the media. You don’t have it in the Premiership, you don’t have it in any other form of professional sport. It’s totally inappropriate. You’re either on the sporting regulatory side or you’re on the media side. You can’t have a foot in both camps.”
The issue of impartiality has been a long-standing debate in Formula 1, with teams often questioning the consistency of stewarding decisions. The FIA’s move signals a push toward greater transparency and integrity in officiating, ensuring that stewards remain neutral and free from external influences.
Herbert’s departure marks a significant shift in F1’s regulatory approach, with the FIA reinforcing its commitment to maintaining a clear separation between those who govern the sport and those who analyze it for public audiences. As the 2025 season approaches, the impact of this decision on race officiating and the broader F1 community remains to be seen.
