21 replies to this topic

[johnmhinds]

http://www.autosport...y-race-director

 

 

Herbie Blash will end a 51-year stint in Formula 1 when he steps down from his role as FIA deputy race director at the end of the season.

Safety director Laurent Mekies, who joined the FIA in 2014, will take on Blash's duties alongside his current role.

Blash started his F1 career in 1965, working with privateer Lotus entrant Rob Walker before being joining Lotus as race engineer to Jochen Rindt in 1968.

He moved to Brabham in 1972 as team manager before being promoted to the role of sporting director.

He had a brief stint at Yamaha as sporting director of its F1 engine programme and then joined the FIA in 1996 as deputy race director.

"I would personally like to thank Herbie for all of his hard work for the FIA over the past 21 years, and especially for his contribution in maintaining Formula 1's place at the pinnacle of motorsport," said FIA president Jean Todt.

 

Thank you for all the hard work you've done for the sport Herbie.

[Marklar]

Would have prefered Charlie instead of Herbie

[Disgrace]

Thank you for all the hard work you've done for the sport Herbie.

 

Indeed. Time for regime change, however. Hopefully this opens the floodgates.

[BuddyHolly]

Sorry to lose Herbie but Charlie needs to follow him and asap.

[SenorSjon]

Funny this was also a Brabham guy in one of the top spots.

[Risil]

51 years in F1! What a career.

 

Best of luck to Mr Blash's successor.

[DutchQuicksilver]

Finally, now that other out of date guy, Charlie Whiting, to go and F1 is saved for the forseeable future.

[Fastcake]

Herbie Blash has attended over 750 Grands Prix in his 51 years in Formula One, and who knows how many other motor races outside of it. Throughout his time as either an official, competitor, or a simple fan, he's very likely been to more races and witnessed more F1 history first hand than any other figure in our sport. He's had a spectacularly enviable career, and yet many would never recognise him outside of the FIA chap who appears in the post-race driver room.

 

Have a great one Blash.   

[chunder27]

Whats funny about two Bernie guys being in top jobs in F1

 

I find it utterly predictable really!

[Nonesuch]

 

"Along with Charlie [Whiting], Herbie has been instrumental in the seamless running of grand prix races for over two decades, and we are pleased that he will continue to work with the FIA in future."

 

Seamless, eh Todt? No wonder nothing changes until a guy retires.

 

Best of luck to him, but it's good to see some long overdue changes in these and other FIA roles.

[jimjimjeroo]

Rumour is that he's going to be Prime Minister

[Wingcommander]

Seamless, eh Todt? No wonder nothing changes until a guy retires.

 

Best of luck to him, but it's good to see some long overdue changes in these and other FIA roles.

 

Yes, seamless. And be careful what you wish for.

[Ev0d3vil]

Is Herbie the guy always at the place where the 3 winning drivers park their cars?

[Jon83]

Always seemed like one of the good guys.

[johnmhinds]

Is Herbie the guy always at the place where the 3 winning drivers park their cars?

 

Yes,

[Alan Baker]

Younger readers may not know that his real name is Michael. In his early days in racing one of the old hands decided that he was "a right little Herbert" and Herbie it was from then on ( if you are not British you won't know the meaning of the phrase).

[HistoryFan]

who were deputy race director before him?

[f1paul]

Herbie then Charlie then Bernie

[Marklar]

peter j fox ‏@peterjfoxf1  11h11 hours ago

The end of an era as #bernieecclestone presents his friend #herbieblash a farewell gift at his last #f1 race at the #AbuDhabiGP

[jonpollak]

Younger readers may not know that his real name is Michael. In his early days in racing one of the old hands decided that he was "a right little Herbert" and Herbie it was from then on ( if you are not British you won't know the meaning of the phrase).

 

Oh I know the phrase and was a victim of the right little Herbert in Phoenix back in '89. He walked up to me in Piquet's garage and asked " where's your pass young man". After explaining that Katia Heim had given me one but we're late in being issued he asked I go wait outside her office until they arrived. The next day when he saw me chatting to Roebuck he looked closely to see the required pass hanging around my neck and said. "There's a good boy" Nigel said "He must be talking to you then". Congratulations on a long and successful career Blashers.

[LuckyStrike1]

The guy no one really knows what he actually does except leading drivers successfully to the podium after the race and using his presence in F1 paddock to score free deals and gifts from companies for his own benefit now does something else. 

[Marklar]

Huh, that's weird

 

Mat Oxley ‏@matoxley  4m4 minutes ago

Have heard rumours that Dorna want former F1 deputy race director Herbie Blash to take charge of World Superbike, with Xavier Alonso gone