F1 steward hits back at Jos Verstappen ‘bias’ claim

Former F1 driver and current steward Johnny Herbert has hit back at suggestions of being “biased”.

The stewards at the Mexico City Grand Prix issued Max Verstappen a duo of 10-second time penalties for incidents involving title rival Lando Norris.

Verstappen's father Jos criticised the officials after the grand prix and questioned the composition of the stewards, suggesting there could be a “conflict of interest” and “former drivers who have more sympathy for certain drivers”.

Herbert, who was one of the stewards in Mexico, has downplayed the suggestion.

“There always seems to be an issue about us British stewards being ‘biased’, but when we’re in that room, we abide by the rules and guidelines from the FIA,” Herbert told Action Network. 

“That is how we have to judge the racing on the track. To say it’s ‘biased’ is absolutely ridiculous and not the case. 

“We try as hard as possible to be fair in our judgement. The issue we have is the tactics we see on the track, there are driving styles that are not deemed correct according to the guidelines, and the situation we had in Mexico showed that we made the right decision.

“In Mexico, the stewards other than me were American, Belgian and Brazilian, all who have the same powers as each other. To say there’s bias is ridiculous.”

Herbert asserts F1 stewards won't change for Brazil

Verstappen was deemed to have forced Norris wide at Turn 4 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez as they battled for position early on in the race.

Moments later, he attempted to reclaim the spot with both drivers running wide at Turn 7.

Herbert highlighted the stewards were aligned with the decisions made in Mexico and does not see the perspective shifting for this weekend's event in Brazil.

“The attitude in the Stewards’ room was really good and our decision was clear because the guidelines tell us what to look at and how to deal with the situation,” Herbert said. 

“When we applied the two ten-second penalties to Max Verstappen, we were all in agreement. 

“Always remember, there are four stewards who make these decisions. The stewards won’t change anything in Brazil. 

“We have the guidelines and that’s what we’ll be sticking to. We will judge what happens on the circuit in the same way we have all season.”