In a brewing controversy, Max Verstappen has issued a warning that he may pull out of the Brazilian Grand Prix, following the FIA’s decision to keep Johnny Herbert on as a race steward. Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, publicly voiced concern over Herbert’s role, accusing him of biased judgments that have led to harsh penalties for Max in recent races. Despite these criticisms, the FIA confirmed that Herbert would continue as a steward in Brazil.
“I’ve had enough of this,” Max Verstappen said after hearing the FIA’s decision. “If they don’t want to listen to us and take the bias allegations seriously, I won’t participate. I can’t be expected to race fairly when the stewards aren’t impartial.”
Herbert, a former British F1 driver, has already come under scrutiny for handing Verstappen a ten-second penalty at the Mexican GP, contrasting with a five-second penalty given to British driver Lando Norris for a similar incident. Jos Verstappen responded to the decision by stating, “The FIA should look into the stewards’ assignments and ensure that former drivers with certain biases are not put in a position to influence outcomes unfairly.”
In response, Herbert has denied any allegations of favoritism, stating, “We follow the FIA’s rules strictly. There’s a team of stewards from various nationalities, and to say that there’s bias is simply absurd.”
This ongoing dispute has intensified Verstappen’s frustration, and his stance has added tension to the weekend’s race. As fans and teams prepare for what could be a pivotal Grand Prix, the FIA’s handling of steward assignments has now taken center stage, with Verstappen’s potential absence looming as a major talking point.
