Max Verstappen recently expressed his dissatisfaction with comments made by FIA steward Johnny Herbert following the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Verstappen received two-time penalties for his aggressive driving tactics against McLaren rival Lando Norris. Herbert, a former F1 driver, publicly criticized Verstappen’s mentality, suggesting that his driving style was “on the edge or over the top,” and that it was inappropriate to push other drivers off the track. Herbert emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable among current and former drivers alike, indicating that Verstappen does not need to resort to these tactics given his talent and position in the championship.
Herbert’s comments reflected his frustration with Verstappen’s approach, suggesting that at this point in the season, the reigning champion should focus on clean driving to secure wins rather than resorting to questionable maneuvers. He defended the stewards’ unanimous decision to impose the penalties, noting that the guidelines for judging such incidents were clear and that their decision was made with a sense of agreement among the panel. This drew criticism from Verstappen’s father, Jos, who questioned the potential for a conflict of interest due to Herbert’s dual role in media and stewarding.
Verstappen responded to Herbert’s remarks during a press conference prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix, expressing concern over the consistency of the penalties handed out. He highlighted the disparity between his penalties and those given to Norris for similar infractions, suggesting that the decisions seemed biased. This led him to assert that Herbert’s comments were abnormal and indicative of a preconceived stance against him, as he felt the stewards were not fully aware of the context of his actions on the track.
Additionally, Verstappen addressed perceived double standards in stewarding, referencing his own punishment for using inappropriate language in a press conference, while noting that Charles Leclerc had escaped similar scrutiny for making the same comment afterward. He expressed frustration that the rules seemed to be applied unevenly, reinforcing his belief that he is often singled out for criticism. Verstappen noted that such scrutiny might be influenced by the public’s perception of him, particularly regarding his nationality, suggesting that some of the criticism he receives stems from being Dutch in a predominantly British environment.
In response to Jos Verstappen’s comments about alleged British bias among stewards, Herbert defended the impartiality of the panel during the Mexico race. He insisted that decisions are made based on established FIA guidelines and that bias is not a factor in their judgments. Herbert pointed out that the panel included stewards from various nationalities, asserting that the accusations of bias are unfounded. The ongoing tension between Verstappen and the FIA stewards highlights broader issues of fairness and consistency in the sport, particularly regarding the treatment of different drivers and the interpretation of racing rules.