Herbert fires back at latest Jos Verstappen criticism

FIA race steward Johnny Herbert has defended his right to express an opinion on F1, despite criticism from Jos Verstappen over a perceived conflict of interest. 

Herbert was a member of the panel which awarded Jos's son Max 20 seconds worth of time penalties and two penalty points for incidents involving Lando Norris in the Mexico City Grand Prix. 

In the days following the race, the three-time grand prix winner claimed that Verstappen had "a horrible mindset", leading to fierce criticism from Verstappen Senior, who claimed that some stewards in Mexico "don’t like [Max] anyway" the panel made up of "former drivers, for example, who have more sympathy for certain drivers [or teams]."

In Brazil, there was controversy once again after the delay in throwing the red flag for Lance Stroll's Q2 crash which ultimately helped to knock Max Verstappen out in Q2, and consigning him to a P17 start once his grid penalty for an engine change was applied.

This however had nothing to do with steward Herbert, with the red flag being under the control of race director Niels Wittich. 

In Brazil, Verstappen Senior continued his criticism of Herbert, insisting that "a steward should not talk to the press at all and do a constant job" and that "it is definitely not the case now."

Herbert, a former Sky Sports F1 pundit has now defended his right to offer opinions outside of the stewards' office.

"As I have always said, I am Johnny Herbert the steward and the professional during a race weekend and Johnny Herbert a pundit at other times who expresses what he thinks," he told SafestBettingSites.

"When I am a steward, I do not express any opinions."

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Herbert defends having opinion

The former Benetton, Tyrrell, Lotus, Ligier, Sauber, Stewart and Jaguar driver added that he understood Verstappen senior's view, but flatly denied any allegations of "bias" in his decision-making. 

"Everyone has an opinion. Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I am not at the racetrack?" he continued.

"The racetrack has been my world for 50 years. If I don’t quite agree with what I see on the racetrack I will say so. It is not just Max. I’ll criticise anyone if I feel it is warranted.

"I understand it from Jos’s point of view because it is his son. Is there any bias? No, of course not. I wasn’t the only one to think that Max was over the top in Mexico. Lando Norris and Zak Brown thought so too.

"When I do speak to people on a Monday or Tuesday that is outside my stewarding responsibilities.

"Jos has always been very outspoken about what is happening at Red Bull.

"Is that his position to be? It is all very similar. If you have an opinion and you want to make it, then you can.”