The FIA ​​dismisses the controversial Johnny Herbert as commissioner, one of Fernando Alonso’s greatest critics

The FIA He has fired as Commissioner to Expileoto Johnny Herbertcontroversial expiloto who also served as a commentator in different media. And this, according to the official version, has been the reason for the exit, the incompatibility between these two functions.

Herbert, three times winner who competed for a series of F1 teams in the 80s and that participated in 160 races in the 90s; He also won 24 hours from Le Mans. He was scheduled to officiate at the Australia Grand Prix that opens the season on March 16.

«We regret to announce that Johnny Herbert will not continue as a commissioner for the FIA. Johnny has been a respected pilot who has offered his incalculable experience in the position. However, after some conversations, he agreed by mutual agreement that his work as a commissioner and his work in the media is incompatible. We thank you for your services and wish you the best in future projects, ”says the FIA ​​statement.

The commissioners guarantee that the rules are applied consistently and fairly during the race weekends, applying punishments if necessary. One of them is usually an expilot, which guarantees that the point of view of current pilots is taken into account. However, Herbert was also the protagonist of punishments that were not always equanimous with respect to those who perform the action.

Herbert, 60, has been the center of many controversies with different pilots, including, Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen. The Austrian pilot, and also his father, was enraged with Herbert due to negative comments about his behavior on the track and his way of driving.

With Alonso also had his and least. After repeated comments on his driving capacity, one of the most tense moments was lived in 2016, in the Australian Grand Prix, after Herbert said that the Spaniard was not motivated to continue as a pilot. «I don’t think Fernando should return. I know that things have changed as far as cars are concerned, but in terms of performance we have not seen the two -time champion of the world that everyone says it is the best. Alonso replied live: “I do not retire because I am a champion, you are a commentator because you do not win the World Cup.”

He also punished the Spanish with 20 seconds of penalty for an incident in Australia with Russell in which there was not even contact. On the other hand, he pointed out his desire for Lewis Hamilton to win the 2025 World Cup with Ferrari.