Interlagos Driver Steward: Johnny Herbert

So far it looks like Johnny Herbert did a good job. I cannot remember any dodgy decisions or penalties. When the situation is border line to punishable he seems to prefer reprimands which isn't a bad thing IMO. Gutjahr as a Swiss is probably a good choice. He is also very experienced. Having a German in there isn't perhaps the most sensible thing considering that Vettel is still in the WDC fight.

Edited by DILLIGAF, 29 October 2010 - 23:39.

Edited by WhiteBlue, 30 October 2010 - 00:02.

I have already commented on Herbert. I would trust him to be impartial and it isn't so easy to find good stewards among ex drivers. Very few are prepared to do the job. Herbert did not support any particular driver publicly. When the stewards had to decide on a Ferrari complaint against Vettel passing under yellow in Malaysia they took a wise decision. Many stewards would have screwed up such a complicated decision but the Malaysian team advised by Herbert did the right thing.

Its interesting to see how the drivers have got on this season. Herbert seems to have got on well so far. Damon Hill's experience seems to have been soured by the experience at Monaco with the Schumacher penalty and Damon's criticism afterwards. Likewise Alan Jones was caught up in the controversial decisions to delay the Korean GP. Others like Wurz and Mansell (almost surprisingly) have seemingly done well. The thing to remember though is that drivers are a part of the process and not in charge of decisions.

Overall thumbs up to Driver stewards!

So it's fine to trust Herbert with Hamilton still in the running just because you say it is? Who's to say a German steward wouldn't be just as fair with Vettel still in the hunt?

I generally feel that the same nationality should be avoided where possible. It is done that way in all great sport contests on international level. You will never find a same national referee in a soccer world cup match. But I recognize that it is sometimes difficult and particularly in the case of the driver stewards. There is only a very limited pool and of those not all are keeping the neutrality that their office requires IMO. My opinion is that a driver steward must not publicly support any driver in a year when he stewards. It just creates a terrible impression. This is the reason why I wouldn't trust Nigel Mansell to steward fair and equitable in Abu Dhabi if he was selected. He has publicly come out in favor of Mark Webber. For me that is simply unacceptable.

He also said something along the lines of "Come on Jenson and Lewis, we are counting on you" when interviewed by the BBC at the British GP.

I'm sure that did not endear him to Alonso and Vettel fans.

I have already commented on Herbert. I would trust him to be impartial and it isn't so easy to find good stewards among ex drivers. Very few are prepared to do the job. Herbert did not support any particular driver publicly. When the stewards had to decide on a Ferrari complaint against Vettel passing under yellow in Malaysia they took a wise decision. Many stewards would have screwed up such a complicated decision but the Malaysian team advised by Herbert did the right thing.

there should also be a Spanish steward.

You guys have this sort of backwards. The driver steward isn't the primary steward, they are little more than observers/advisers.

You guys have this sort of backwards. The driver steward isn't the primary steward, they are little more than observers/advisers.

This is a wide spread misconception. The diver steward has exactly the same powers and duties as the other three stewards. He also has the unique qualification of knowing racing from the active side.

As an aside, does anybody know if steward's decisions are majority or unanimous votes?

What about LOBATO ?

What about LOBATO ?

I wonder what would be the reaction here if it was Lobato the steward in Malaysia and Alonso the one who got away with the weaving

I'm not sure whether decisions have to be unanimous but each steward has a vote. I found this article regarding the introduction of former f1 drivers as stewards but it doesn't shed any light on how final decisions are reached. May need a rule book i think.

http://www.motorspor...e.asp?ID=360627

For the third time this season, FIA has announced that Johnny Herbert will fill the hole of guest driver steward, after performing the same duty in Malaysia and Turkey.

This is the reason why I wouldn't trust Nigel Mansell to steward fair and equitable in Abu Dhabi if he was selected. He has publicly come out in favor of Mark Webber. For me that is simply unacceptable.

Blimey! Not Johnny's normal kind of job......

Edited by DarthRonzo, 30 October 2010 - 15:51.

Uhmmm... she seems to be a nice "play"station.

Edited by PayasYouRace, 30 October 2010 - 16:32.

The fourth and local organization DS is Felipe Giaffone, former Indycar racer and brother in law of Rubens Barrichello.

After all that talk of nationality, a genuine potential conflict of interest.

As mentioned before, Giaffone was the steward last year when Rubens was a WDC contender, but did not interfere.

About time Giovanna Amati gets invited to the judging panel because misogyny is going through a terrible regression. I can't wait to see a crazy bitch tormenting these blokes, and rock my world.

After all that talk of nationality, a genuine potential conflict of interest.