In recent months, Max Verstappen and the FIA have been at odds.
Max Verstappen claimed that he was receiving unfair treatment at the Mexican Grand Prix, but FIA steward Johnny Herbert has categorically denied any charges of bias. The Dutchman has recently been vocal in his criticism of the organization that oversees the sport.
At the Mexican Grand Prix, Herbert was a member of the stewarding panel that gave Verstappen two 10-second time penalties. He also received a five-second penalty for a virtual safety car violation at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
After the race in Mexico, the 60-year-old also spoke to the media, expressing disapproval of Verstappen’s combative actions and recommending that the three-time world champion moderate his tactics against Lando Norris.
The Verstappen camp was not pleased with these remarks. Father Jos even retaliated, telling Dutch media: “I believe a steward should just deliver work all the time and not speak to the press at all.” And it’s definitely not the case right now.”
Now Herbert has retaliated. He told SafestBettingSites.co.uk, “I am Johnny Herbert the professional and the steward during a race weekend and Johnny Herbert a pundit at other times, expressing what he thinks.”
“I do not voice my opinions when I am a steward.”
Everybody has an opinion. There is an opinion held by Martin Brundle. When I’m not at the racetrack, why can’t I? For fifty years, the racetrack has been my world. I’ll say so if I don’t completely agree with what I see on the racetrack. Max is not the only one. If I think it’s justified, I’ll criticize anyone.
Since it’s his son, I can see it from Jos’s perspective. Is there prejudice? No, of course not. Max was going overboard in Mexico, and I wasn’t the only one. Zak Brown and Lando Norris agreed.
“On Mondays and Tuesdays, I do talk to people, but that is not part of my stewardship duties. Jos has consistently been vocal about the events at Red Bull. Is that how he should be? Everything is pretty much the same. You are free to express your opinions if you so choose.
It’s possible that Verstappen’s frustrations were lessened by the victory in Interlagos. With three races left, his lead over Norris has grown to an impressive 62 points, virtually eliminating the Brit’s hopes of winning his first Drivers’ Championship.
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