Johnny Herbert has released a statement following his dismissal as FIA steward ahead of the 2025 F1 season.

On Wednesday, the FIA announc❀ed that Herbert would be axed, citing his punditry work as a main factor for his sacking.

While Herbert has not been a TV pundit for Sky Sports since the end of 2022, the f🥃ormer British F1 driver has regularly made headlines for his opinions throughout the past 12 months.

Throughout last year, Herbert was critical of 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen’s driving and “intimidation” tactics.

His comments irkꩵed Jos Verstappen, who questioned why a stewarജd should be allowed to be publicly outspoken.

The FIA have taken 🀅aಌction ahead of the new season, relieving Herbert of his duties.

Herbert’s statement

Herbert took to Instagram to respond to the news.

He wrote:  “I’m very grateful for the opportunity of being an FIA Driver Steward and I have tꦯhoroughly enjoyed the role I have been involved✅ in over the years. It is a difficult job and there are tough decisions that have to be made,

“As stewards, we have and will continue to treat bo🌊th drivers and team personnel with the utmost respect and remain impartial at all times during all F1 Grand Prix weekends.

“Finally, I’m very grateful to the Pꦯresident and everyone at the FIA for the opportunities that I have been given.”

Herbert critical of Verstappen

Herbert was vocal following the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Verstappen picked up two 10-second time penalties for incidents with title rival 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lando Norris.

Herbe📖rt said: “Those penalties in Mexico won’t stop Max Verstappen from pushing Lando Norris off the track in the꧃ future.

“The whole intention of Verstappen was to try to let Ferrari get the 1-2 finish. I think that’s definitely what Verstappen intended and tried to achieve, I understand why he did it but I don’t agree with it, I don’t thi🌳nk many people do.

“‘Fair racing’ is so🐼mething Norris has mentioned before, and that’s the type of fight he wants to have. I don’t see Verstappen’s driving changing because the number one goal is to stop Norris from closing the gap for the drivers’ championship. We potentially still have a lot of interesting racing coming our way.”