Former Formula 1 driver and FIA steward Johnny Herbert has reignited his long-running dispute with Max Verstappen, revealing that he received death threats from some of the Dutch driver’s supporters. Johnny Herbert also defended his support for Lewis Hamilton as a fellow British driver, comments that could revive questions about the impartiality expected during his previous role with the FIA.
Johnny Herbert’s latest remarks add another chapter to an already tense relationship with the Verstappen family. Although he now works as a television pundit, his previous position as an FIA driver steward repeatedly placed his public opinions under scrutiny, particularly after the controversial 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix.
How the Johnny Herbert and Max Verstappen feud began
It is no secret that relations between the Verstappen family and Johnny Herbert have been turbulent for some time. The former Formula 1 driver, who later became a television pundit and served on the FIA stewards’ panel at several Grands Prix, has frequently found himself at odds with Max Verstappen and his father, Jos Verstappen.
The apparent point of no return came at the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix. Johnny Herbert was part of the stewards’ panel that imposed two separate 10-second penalties on Max Verstappen after the Red Bull driver was judged to have forced Lando Norris off the track during their battle. Their duel carried consequences not only for the outcome of the Grand Prix but also for the Drivers’ Championship.
In the days after the race, the former Benetton, Sauber and Stewart driver gave several interviews in which he criticised the reigning world champion. Those remarks angered Jos Verstappen, who argued that there was a conflict of interest between Johnny Herbert’s work as a pundit criticising Max Verstappen and his responsibilities as a steward who had helped impose significant penalties on the Dutch driver.
The resulting controversy culminated in Johnny Herbert leaving his FIA stewarding role. The governing body described the sensitive position of a race steward as “incompatible” with his media and punditry work.
Johnny Herbert reveals threats from Max Verstappen supporters
In a recent interview with betting website Vision4Sport, Johnny Herbert revisited his relationship with the Verstappen camp and discussed the behaviour of some of Max Verstappen’s most aggressive supporters. Johnny Herbert claimed that the abuse had extended to serious threats against him.
“Which fans insulted me the most? Easy! The Dutch fans who took offence because I was questioning Max Verstappen,” Johnny Herbert said. “In reality, they were not only Dutch. They also came from other countries. They told me, ‘Death to Herbert.’ They were the worst.”
Johnny Herbert also addressed accusations that British Formula 1 pundits favour Lewis Hamilton over Max Verstappen, arguing that national loyalties naturally influence which drivers supporters want to see succeed.
“They accuse me of being biased. They still do it with Martin Brundle. They say, ‘You’re biased towards Lewis Hamilton.’ Well, we’re British and Lewis is British! You’re Dutch, you support Max and say we’re biased, but you want us to support Max,” Johnny Herbert continued.
“Of course we will support a British driver,” Johnny Herbert added. “But it is an objective matter. We are also fascinated by the Flying Dutchman, but if England played the Netherlands at football, of course I would support England.”
Herbert’s comments could revive the FIA impartiality debate
Johnny Herbert’s comments are unlikely to appear particularly unusual when considered solely in the context of his current work as a television pundit. Formula 1 commentators and analysts regularly acknowledge personal preferences or national affinities while offering their opinions on drivers and teams.
However, the same remarks may sit less comfortably alongside the FIA stewarding position Johnny Herbert held for several seasons. That role requires officials to maintain a clear distance from personal and patriotic loyalties when assessing incidents, determining responsibility and imposing penalties.
By openly acknowledging that he naturally supports a British driver such as Lewis Hamilton, Johnny Herbert risks renewing the debate that followed the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix. That controversy centred not simply on his right to express an opinion, but on whether his duties as a media pundit could ever be fully separated from the neutrality expected of an FIA steward.
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