For the first time since his axing from Sky Sports F1 was announced ahead of the 2023 F1 season, ex-Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has revealed how he was told his services were no longer required and how it all came as a bit of a shock.
Herbert had been a pundit for Sky F1 since the broadcaster purchased the rights to air the pinnacle of motorsport from the 2012 season, with him on the whole having been a popular member of the team.
Ahead of this season, though, Sky announced that Herbert and fellow ex-F1 driver Paul di Resta weren’t going to be part of the team going forward, something which wasn’t Herbert’s choice.
Herbert truly believed he was doing well with the broadcaster and was “quite popular” amongst the audience, making his sudden departure “a shame”.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
“I didn’t decide to step away – I thought everything was going ahead!” Herbert told The Mirror.
“And then I got a call in December, I think it was, when I was told things were changing. It wasn’t explained why or what was changing. There was a mention of social media stuff and that was about it, really. I don’t really know.
“I was always aware – at Sky they do these subscriber checks where you’re given points out of 10 – and I’ve always known I was always quite popular on that side. It’s a shame, but I’m over it. Moving on.”
As of yet Herbert hasn’t agreed another deal with the likes of Channel 4 or a non-UK broadcaster, with the Briton starting to think he won’t be on the screen for the F1 this season.
“There are a lot of other opportunities but, in terms of seeing me on a TV screen, there’s probably nothing planned on that front,’ said the Briton.
READ: Will Daniel Ricciardo actually drive this season?
He does at least still have some ties to the 2023 F1 season, with Herbert having started a podcast with ex-British F4 driver Billy Monger, who is also an F1 pundit on Channel 4.
Monger shared the news of the new podcast on social media, where he couldn’t contain his excitement.
“BUZZING to share with you my new podcast @liftthelidpod alongside the LEGEND @johnnyherbertf1, chatting all things @f1 around the new season,” Monger wrote on social media.