P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Johnny Herbert, who served as an FIA race steward in Mexico and Brazil, has hit back at comments made by Jos Verstappen – the father of Max.
FIA race steward Johnny Herbert defended his right to express opinions on F1, despite Jos Verstappen’s criticism over a perceived conflict of interest. Herbert faced backlash for penalizing Max Verstappen in the Mexico City Grand Prix, leading to heated exchanges with Jos Verstappen. The controversy continued in Brazil with delays and grid penalties affecting Max’s performance, sparking more criticism from Verstappen Senior. Herbert clarified that as a steward he remains impartial, separate from his pundit role. He refuted bias claims, insisting he critiques based on merit, not favoritism, and acknowledged Jos’s protective stance towards Max. Herbert emphasized the importance of offering opinions, acknowledging different viewpoints in the sport.
