Johnny Herbert has insisted he’s entitled to his opinions on reigning Method 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 observe 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 also heavily criticised by Sky F1’s Damon Hill for his manoeuvres on Norris, claimed: “I’ve received the improper passport for this paddock”.
Nonetheless, Herbert – who was once more an FIA race steward in Brazil final weekend – has insisted he isn’t biased.
And in a barb aimed toward Jos, he questioned his place to be essential of Purple Bull’s operations, having been outspoken in opposition to his son’s group on a variety of 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 instructed SafestBettingSites.co.uk.
“When I’m a steward, I don’t specific any opinions.
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Pictures
“Everybody has an opinion. [Sky Sports F1’s] Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I’m not on the race observe? The race observe has been my world for 50 years. If I don’t fairly agree with what I see on the race observe I’ll say so. It’s not simply Max. I’ll criticise anybody if I really feel it’s warranted.
“I perceive it from Jos’s viewpoint as a result of it’s his son. Is there any bias? No, in fact 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.
“Once I do converse to individuals on a Monday or Tuesday that’s exterior my stewarding obligations.
“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. When you’ve got an opinion and also you need 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 accessible within the closing three races, will be taught from his title battle.
“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 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 might have gotten extra factors, however that’s racing. Max had the clear lead after which didn’t win after June.
“McLaren will be taught for subsequent yr and have a stronger mindset. Lando will go into 2025 understanding he can beat Max.”