by Johnny Herbert has confirmed he will continue in his role as F1 commissioner this year, starting with the season-opening Grand Prix in Australia.
The former F1 driver and ex-Sky Sports broadcaster, 60, was the target of criticism from Max Verstappen and his father, Jos, last year over his dual roles as pundit and steward.
Herbert criticized Verstappen’s driving style in Mexico, when the four-time world champion received a 20-second penalty, prompting Jos to reprimand: “I think a steward should not talk to the press at all .”
Herbert will nevertheless continue in his role as steward this year, on a rotating basis, and will be one of four people in the stewards’ room for the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
“There will still be incidents [in Australia]there will still be complaints from teams and drivers and we are going to have to deal with this as usual,” said Herbert, in partnership with Casinoutanspelpaus.io.
“The way the racing rules have evolved, it’s more like it was when we were racing karting. I know George Russell mentioned it, it was crazy, this thing at the top and now we’ve given space on the exits.
“We’ve never done that in karting, it’s never been a part of it. And I never agreed to give space.
Herbert added that Red Bull driver Verstappen, who is aiming for a fifth consecutive world championship in 2025, will continue his aggressive style on track this year.
“I think from Max Verstappen’s point of view, yes, aggression will always be part of what he does, but he continues to improve his skills in racing, in qualifying and he still has a lot in his back pocket if he needs it,” Herbert said.
“Does Verstappen need a teammate who will push him a little more? Well, that’s where Liam Lawson [2025 Red Bull teammate] must now shine as well, in this very difficult situation of being faced with one of the best in the world at the moment, probably one of the greatest of all time.
“It will only be a positive thing for Verstappen to have a teammate who will push him and what that will do, unfortunately for everyone, is take Verstappen to another level.
“If he gets to the next level, that’s where everything will change.”
The 24-race 2025 season begins on March 16, with a 10-team season launch event taking place at London’s O2 Arena on February 18.
