Herbert: FIA more controlling and ‘heavy-handed’ than before

Grand Prix winner Herbert was sacked as FIA F1 Steward last month, the 60-year-old- motorsport veteran explained in his first public interview since his dismissal. In it he also how Formula 1's governing body operates under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Regarding the recent FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) where members were required to sign NDA agreements, Herbert said: "Dave Richards [Chairman of Motorsport UK, he also represents the UK on the FIA WMSC and is Chairman of the FIA Foundation.] was one of those who refused to sign an NDA and therefore wasn't allowed into the room for the WMSC meeting earlier this week.

"Dave's been around the world for many a decade [as a former British American Racing team principal who also heads Motorsport UK] and a big part of the FIA at the same time. Signing an NDA and confidentiality agreements is not the norm, but it's becoming the norm. There definitely seems to be a more heavy-handed way of dealing with things now," observed Herbert.

As for his dismissal, was it heavy-handed? Herbert replied diplomatically: "There are guidelines and rules and we have to apply them. It doesn't matter who it is. You have to apply them. And that's the professionalism from a career as a driver myself, that I took into that room.

"And that's where people don't understand that I can have my opinions when I'm outside that room and away from that race weekend," explained Herbert whose dismissal has divided F1 observers.

The Englishman also had a word for Susie Wolff who is being bandied about as a possible FIA presidential candidate to run against President Ben Sulayem in the forthcoming FIA elections.

Of billionaire Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff's wife Susie running for FIA President Herbert said: "Susie Wolff has got a wealth of experience as a driver in various forms of motorsport from her time at Williams and driving F1 cars, so the DTM series.

"Obviously being married to Toto, obviously now doing the F1 Academy at the same time. She's got a lot of good experience. She's a very clever lady that could add a lot to the future of F1. If she feels she can add something, then why not?"

1991 Le Mans winner Herbert spoke of reactions to his parting of ways with the FIA: "Largely positive. You're always going to get the negative ones. They all invariably come from a lot of people who have been highly critical of me and who haven't been very nice in their comments that they've made on social media.

"I've learnt to deal with it, and it doesn't affect me. I find it ridiculous because whoever criticised me, there was obviously some criticism within the paddock and outside the paddock, have absolutely no clue what happens in that steward’s room and how honest we have to be," concluded Herbert.