Outside Line: Right call by FIA on Herbert but he remains relevant

There is a perception that I hold Herbert’s opinions in unusually high regard, which is why we publish his content. That is simply not the case.

In my book, the hierarchy for race driver pundits is straightforward: when F1 world champions speak, we quote them; Grand Prix winners speak, we quote them; F1 drivers past and present speak, we quote them. And even beyond that, non-F1 drivers with extensive motorsport knowledge also deserve a platform.

Let’s not forget that while there are 778 drivers who have made it into Formula 1, tens of thousands of talented racers never had the luck or financial backing to get there. Many of them, I would argue, were more deserving of a shot than those who did. They too deserve a voice, and we'll give it to them if we can. But I digress.

Apart from being a Le Mans winner and a motorsport veteran of several top series over the years, Herbert is a Grand Prix winner. Furthermore, until recently, he was an F1 steward—positioned right in the eye of the storm during F1 weekends. That alone makes his insights relevant.

When approached by sponsors of Herbert to publish his quotes [in exchange for a link in the report to the source of the quotes/interview], we did so as part of our coverage of the wider F1 narrative. His words carry weight, whether we agree or not.

Nevertheless, I was surprised that the FIA permitted him to be so outspoken in his role after GP weekends. It was inappropriate. Unbelievable actually. So much so, I believed the FIA media team had sanctioned his post-race commentary because it provided positive spin—a rare view from inside the stewarding room, the eagle’s nest from where the 'referees' watch over a Grand Prix weekend.

It turns out I was wrong. The FIA did not 'plant' him into the media narrative. Like me and all sensible F1 aficionados wanting only the best for our sport, the reality is that an F1 Steward cannot be a pundit. Those involved in officiating must be, and must be seen to be, wholly independent.

On that note, if the FIA truly wants transparency, it should take a page from F1 teams and provide session summaries. Just as teams debrief after FP1, FP2, and beyond, stewards could release a brief post-session report outlining key decisions. Such an approach would clarify their reasoning without compromising neutrality.

As for Herbert, we will continue to report his quotes with the respect they deserve. I do not always agree with his takes, and at times he has made missteps—his infamous misjudgment regarding Fernando Alonso being a case in point. But name a pundit who has not made such errors. Even the greatest of all motormouths, Mr. Murray Walker, had his moments.

Herbert’s insights remain valuable, even now that he is no longer tied to the FIA. F1 coverage must not be dictated solely by mainstream media, F1 teams, Formula One Management, or the FIA. No entity owns the sport—it belongs to the fans. If F1 loses its fans, it ceases to exist.

That is why we give a voice to a range of perspectives—whether it be Jacques Villeneuve, Juan Pablo Montoya, and the like. Their insights matter as much as those of Damon Hill or Martin Brundle.

The only difference is that the latter enjoy an audience handed to them on a platter with big bucks retainers to boot, which they have earned, but that does not mean alternative voices should be disregarded.

In closing, let’s be clear: in any sport that requires refereeing, officials must be neutral, regardless of their personal views. If you hold such a role, you cannot, after the fact, commentate on those you regulate. That is a discussion for memoirs and autobiographies, not for press conferences or media soundbites.

If it's about money, which seems to be the case as Herbert will not be earning Hill-Brundle-type retainers, like all of us he too is forced to survive. And does so with sponsors happy to finance his insights for media to pick up under the 'insert-a-link conditions' that make the quotes happen.

This suggests the FIA should be paying their officials as handsomely as sponsors are prepared to pay retired drivers for their interviews. We all have to eat at the end of the day.

So while I support the FIA’s decision to remove Herbert from his F1 stewarding role, GrandPrix247 will always be fans of the driver and the man—whose story, if told in full, would make for a compelling Netflix series.

As for him being shown the door at the FIA, all I can say is I am surprised they let Johnny's sponsored punditry go on for so long.