Former F1 steward condemns Max Verstappen fans: 'They were the worst'

Former F1 steward Johnny Herbert has identified Max Verstappen's fanbase as the most hostile he endured during his tenure, revealing he received death threats after publicly questioning the reigning champion. The comments underscore the lingering tension as Herbert continues to defend his impartiality more than a year after the FIA removed him from the stewarding panel over conflicts with his media commitments.

Why it matters:

The remarks lay bare the severe toxicity directed at race officials, where threats and sustained harassment have become an alarming byproduct of on-track rivalries. Herbert's removal also highlights the FIA's ongoing struggle to safeguard the perception of neutrality when stewards simultaneously hold paid media roles.

The details:

• Herbert told Vision4Sport that Verstappen supporters were "the worst" abusers he faced, citing messages including "Death to Herbert" from Dutch and international fans.
• He generated controversy through betting website interviews where he criticized Verstappen's "horrible mindset" during wheel-to-wheel clashes with Lando Norris.
• The FIA dismissed Herbert ahead of the 2025 season, ruling his punditry and external media work "incompatible" with officiating duties.
• He rejected accusations of favoring Lewis Hamilton, arguing that British backing of a British driver is natural, just as Dutch fans support Verstappen, and noted Martin Brundle faces similar allegations.

Between the lines:

Herbert's defense exposes a difficult blind spot within the sport's culture. While the threats against him are indefensible, his choice to level sharp driver criticism through betting-affiliated outlets created precisely the credibility issue the FIA sought to eliminate. His comparison of broadcast patriotism to fan tribalism also misses the mark; stewards are held to a standard of strict neutrality that becomes untenable when officials double as paid commentators.