Johnny Herbert has been dropped as a Formula One steward for the upcoming 2025 season after it was “mutually agreed” that his work as a media pundit was “incompatible” with his work for the FIA.

At the end of last season, F1 drivers called on the FIA to try to ensure there was greater consistency in stewarding decisions and the awarding of penalties, with Mercedes driver George Russell being particularly vocal on the need for permanent stewards instead of the existing rotating, volunteer system.

The F1 2025 season hasn’t even began but already there is controversy after the FIA announced they’d dropped Johnny Herbert from the stewards’ line-up ahead his Australian GP appearance. Former F1 driver turned pundit Jan Lammers says that doesn’t “surprise me” after some of the comments Herbert made during last year’s campaign.