Herbert Hits Back At Jos Verstappen: Why Can't I Have My Opinion?

Wednesday, 06 November 2024 at 11:18

Johny Herbert responded to Jos Verstappen's comments after the father of the triple World Champion suggested FIA should investigate stewards for conflict of interest.

Max Verstappen's father, Jos Verstappen, recently spoke out against stewards, namely Johny Herbert, who decided to give his son a 20-second penalty during the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix.

Verstappen Sr stated that these stewards should not talk to the press, where they are encouraged to share their opinions, and should only focus on making consistent decisions.

On top of that, he asserted that his son Max would not change his driving style because of a couple of stewards "that didn't like him anyway" and added that FIA should thoroughly investigate whether its stewards don't have any conflict of interest.

Speaking to SafestBettingSites, former F1 driver and one of the stewards, Johny Herbert, defended himself as he tried to explain:

"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. When I am a steward, I do not express any opinions."

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Herbert also pointed out that Martin Brundle, who is a Sky Sports commentator and should be unbiased, criticized Max Verstappen following the race in Mexico City.

"Everyone has an opinion. [Sky Sports F1's] Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can't I when I am not at the racetrack? The racetrack has been my world for 50 years."

"If I don't quite agree with what I see on the racetrack, I will say so. It is not just Max. I'll criticize anyone if I feel it is warranted."

The three-time Grand Prix winner continued his argument, suggesting he wasn't the only one who thought Verstappen went over the line, but his choice of the names wasn't the best, considering he named the 27-year-old's rivals in the Championship from McLaren (who benefit from his punishment).

"I understand it from Jos's point of view because it is his son. Is there any bias? No, of course not. I wasn't the only one to think that Max was over the top in Mexico."

"Lando Norris and [McLaren boss] Zak Brown thought so too. When I do speak to people on a Monday or Tuesday, that is outside my stewarding responsibilities."

"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."