FIA steward Johnny Herbert commented that Max Verstappen “doesn’t help himself sometimes” after the Red Bull driver’s remarks about a perceived British F1 bias drew reactions in Brazil.
In Sao Paulo, Verstappen achieved a crucial win from 17th on the grid in wet conditions, bringing him closer to a fourth consecutive World Championship title. This victory was Verstappen’s first since the Spanish Grand Prix on June 23, ending a 10-race winless streak — his longest since the 2020 season.
Verstappen now leads McLaren’s Lando Norris by 62 points. Norris had a disappointing sixth-place finish at Interlagos after starting from pole. Verstappen could clinch his fourth straight title at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix later this month. If he does, he will become only the second F1 driver to secure his first four World Championships consecutively, a feat previously achieved by Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel from 2010 to 2013.
Verstappen’s recent success follows a controversial race in Mexico, where he received two 10-second penalties for incidents with Norris, sparking debate over his aggressive racing style. Herbert was among the stewards who ruled on these penalties, with Verstappen’s father, Jos, voicing concerns over potential “conflict of interest” among the FIA stewards.
According to the Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Jos Verstappen’s comments may have referenced Herbert, a former Sky F1 pundit who previously criticized Max’s “horrible mindset” after the Mexico race, as well as Tim Mayer, son of the late McLaren co-founder Teddy Mayer.
Verstappen’s performance and interactions with stewards continue to attract attention, particularly as he edges closer to securing yet another world title.