Dropped by the FIA on account of fears over his media work being “incompatible” along with his function as an F1 race steward, Johnny Herbert has joined Lola Automobiles as a world model ambassador.
Below new possession, Lola, which was based by Eric Broadley in 1958 and loved success in varied disciplines, together with successful the Indy 500, and which went into administration in 2012, introduced final yr that in a technical partnership with Yamaha it was to enter the Method E World Championship.
Freed by the FIA, Lola was fast to safe the companies of the British F3 champion, Method Ford Competition and Le Mans 24-Hours winner.
“The addition of a driver like Johnny to the Lola crew is an actual landmark second for me,” stated Until Bechtolsheimer, who purchased Lola Automobiles in 2022.
“Having witnessed quite a few shows of his expertise and sportsmanship all through his profession, I’m thrilled to get the chance to work alongside him,” he added.
“He isn’t solely a great ambassador for the whole lot that Lola stands for, however his wealth of expertise shall be a priceless useful resource for our current and future drivers.”
“It is vastly thrilling to be concerned with an iconic and profitable championship-winning marque like Lola,” stated Herbert. “Lola has at all times been an enormous a part of the motorsport world and, having grown up with Lolas round me in Method Ford, sports activities vehicles and F1, becoming a member of the crew for this subsequent chapter appears like the proper match.
“I sit up for working with Lola and its companions, opening doorways for the model and serving to contribute not solely to the renewed success of such a storied title, however to the sustainable way forward for high tier motorsport as effectively.”
In the meantime, referring to the FIA’s resolution to drop him, the 3-time grand prix winner, took to Instagram.
“I am very grateful for the chance of being an FIA driver steward and I’ve totally loved the function I’ve been concerned in through the years,” he wrote. “It’s a tough job and there are robust selections that should be made.
“As stewards, now we have and can proceed to deal with each drivers and crew personnel with the utmost respect and stay neutral always throughout all F1 Grand Prix weekends.
“Lastly, I am very grateful to the President and everybody on the FIA for the alternatives I’ve been given.”
One driver who most likely will not be sorry to see Herbert dropped as a steward is Max Verstappen, who was penalised (twice) by the stewards in Mexico, the place the Briton was on responsibility. Herbert, in his media pundit function, subsequently criticised the Dutchman, while additionally talking out following his conflict with Oscar Piastri in Abu Dhabi.
Jos Verstappen was fast to criticise Herbert, claiming that some former drivers now employed as stewards had been biased, a view echoed by his son.
Nevertheless, Purple Bull boss Christian Horner insists that neither was concerned within the FIA’s resolution.
“Firstly, it has completely nothing to do with Max however it’s completely the correct resolution,” he instructed Sky Sports activities. “You can’t have stewards working within the media.
“You do not have it within the Premiership, you do not have it in every other type of skilled sport, it’s very inappropriate,” he added. “You are both on the sporting regulatory aspect otherwise you’re on the media aspect. You possibly can’t have a foot in each camps.”
