Johnny Herbert has insisted he’s entitled to his opinions on reigning System 1 world champion Max Verstappen as a response to criticism from the Dutchman’s father, Jos.
The 2 former F1 drivers are at loggerheads after Herbert initially remarked that the time penalties dished out to the Purple Bull driver through the Mexico Grand Prix “wouldn’t cease [him] from pushing Lando Norris off the monitor sooner or later”.
Jos was furious that Herbert, who was appearing as an FIA race steward on the Mexican Grand Prix, was airing his views in public having administered the penalties, insisting that “a steward should not speak to the press in any respect and simply ship work on a regular basis”.
The bitterness continued on the Brazilian Grand Prix when Max Verstappen, who was additionally closely criticised by Sky F1’s Damon Hill for his manoeuvres on Norris, claimed: “I’ve received the flawed passport for this paddock”.
Nevertheless, Herbert – who was once more an FIA race steward in Brazil final weekend – has insisted he’s not biased.
And in a barb geared toward Jos, he questioned his place to be vital of Purple Bull’s operations, having been outspoken in opposition to his son’s crew on various events this yr.
“I’m Johnny Herbert the steward and the skilled throughout a race weekend and Johnny Herbert a pundit at different instances, who expresses what he thinks,” Herbert advised SafestBettingSites.co.uk.
“When I’m a steward, I don’t specific any opinions.
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photographs
“Everybody has an opinion. [Sky Sports F1’s] Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I’m not on the race monitor? The race monitor has been my world for 50 years. If I don’t fairly agree with what I see on the race monitor I’ll say so. It isn’t simply Max. I’ll criticise anybody if I really feel it’s warranted.
“I perceive it from Jos’s perspective as a result of it’s his son. Is there any bias? No, after all not. I wasn’t the one one to assume that Max was excessive in Mexico. Lando Norris and [McLaren boss] Zak Brown thought so too.
“After I do converse to folks on a Monday or Tuesday that’s outdoors my stewarding duties.
“Jos has at all times been very outspoken about what is occurring at Purple Bull. Is that his place to be? It’s all very comparable. You probably have an opinion and also you wish to make it, then you’ll be able to.”
In the meantime, Herbert says that Norris, who trails Verstappen by 62 factors within the drivers’ championship with simply 86 obtainable within the closing three races, will study from his title combat.
“McLaren and Lando missed out on seven factors in Hungary as a result of they let Piastri win and it’s these issues they must be acutely aware of going into subsequent season,” added the three-time F1 race winner.
“Will they lose the championship this yr? No, as a result of they had been at all times on catch-up. They may have gotten extra factors, however that’s racing. Max had the clear lead after which didn’t win after June.
“McLaren will study for subsequent yr and have a stronger mindset. Lando will go into 2025 figuring out he can beat Max.”
