Former driver suffered death threats after Australian GP

Former Formula 1 driver and current Sky Sports commentator Johnny Herbert has revealed he received ‘a barrage of death threats’ after the Australian GP. However, this will not stop him from acting as a steward at other F1 races.

Herbert was part of the team of stewards at the Australian GP, ​​where the collision between Fernando Alonso and George Russell resulted in a penalty for the Spaniard. The decision, which demoted Alonso from sixth to eighth place, sparked a wave of online attacks against Herbert.

“I was a steward at the Australian GP in Melbourne and the repercussions were horrible. I received a barrage of death threats on social media. I’m lucky to have fiber,” Herbert told Fastest Payout Online Casino.

Herbert considered these threats ‘pathetic’ and regretted having been the main target: “There were four of us commissioners and we all discussed the case. We have to make decisions based on the information available and listening to both drivers. We analyze data and take into account what teams provide. We are aware of what happens before the drivers enter the room.”

The former pilot explained the origin of the threats: “There were messages with knife emojis, people saying they knew where I live, that they were going to get me. The majority were Spanish. I think it has to do with what happened in Bahrain two years ago.”

According to Herbert, the attacks may be related to criticisms made by him towards Alonso in the past: “He complained a lot about the (Honda) engine on the team radio (McLaren, at the time), and called it a ‘GP2 engine’. I commented on Sky that if I didn’t like it, I should leave the team. He then teased me live in Bahrain, saying that he was a champion and would not become a commentator because he had not won titles.”

“The fans used it as a weapon against me after Australia. They said I didn’t have the qualifications to give an opinion because I was never a champion,” he said.

Despite the attacks, Herbert stated that he will continue to serve as commissioner: “This will not keep me away. Unfortunately, it’s part of the job. I was the ex-driver commissioner in Melbourne, so when it’s a decision against a driver, he’s the one who takes the criticism. I accept this. It’s not a problem”, concluded Herbert.

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