The former F1 driver was in line to be a steward at the season-opening race in Australia but was criticised by Jos Verstappen last year for his dual role as steward and pundit

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.

Formula One's governing body dropped former racer Johnny Herbert as a grand prix steward on Wednesday, saying the Briton's work as a media pundit was incompatible with the role. Herbert, a three-times winner who competed for an array of F1 teams in the 1980s and 1990s and started 160 races as well as winning the Le Mans 24 Hours,

Former driver-turned-pundit Johnny Herbert will no longer serve as an FIA race steward for Formula 1 races due to the "incompatible" dual roles he was trying to serve.

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.