FIA drops Johnny Herbert as steward over media conflict, Stars who lived the Ferrari nightmare, and other big updates

FIA drops Johnny Herbert as steward over media conflict

Johnny Herbert will no longer be an FIA steward because his media work does not fit with the role. In 2024, he criticized Max Verstappen while working as a steward, which led to backlash from Verstappen and his father. Herbert said he stayed neutral, but many felt there was a conflict of interest, so the FIA decided to remove him. The FIA thanked him for his work and said the decision was made after discussions.

Click here to read the full article by Keith Collantine (racefans.net)

‍

Stars who lived the Ferrari nightmare

Competing for Ferrari is a dream for many F1 drivers, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare. Alain Prost and Ivan Capelli both had bad experiences; Prost faced car problems and team politics, while Capelli struggled with a poor car and a tough atmosphere. Fernando Alonso almost won a title in 2010 and 2012, but bad luck and slow cars got in the way, and his relationship with Ferrari soured. Sebastian Vettel also faced disappointment, missing title chances and having issues with Ferrari before leaving in 2020.

Click here to read the full article at motorsportmagazine.com

‍

Bottas to perform Mercedes demo at Adelaide Motorsport Festival

Valtteri Bottas, who became an 'Honorary Aussie' last year, will drive a historic Mercedes 190E at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival in March.  He’ll race in the Touring Car Legends category on March 9th, a week before supporting his Mercedes teammates in Melbourne. As an ambassador for the event, Bottas has embraced Australian culture, making him a fan favorite. His weekend will also include the Race of Champions in Sydney before heading to Melbourne for his F1 duties with Mercedes.

Click here to read the full article by Phillip van Osten (f1i.com)

‍

South Africa extends F1 bid deadline

South Africa’s government is encouraging local organizers to support the country's Formula 1 ambition. The deadline for submitting bids to host a Grand Prix has been extended to March 18, 2025. Kyalami and Cape Town are leading candidates, with Cape Town proposing a street circuit. Minister Gayton McKenzie believes hosting the race will help the economy and tourism.

Click here to read the full article by Filip Cleeren (motorsport.com)

‍

Should we be excited for the new season?

The 2025 season is already shaping up to be dramatic, even before we've seen our first race. But should we be excited about it? Perhaps we should ask the Tifosi, who are pinning their hopes on a driver chasing his eighth championship crown. Of course, Hamilton won’t be the only driver sporting new colors this year. Click here to watch the video.