On the Sunday in question, veteran driver Alonso, from Aston Martin, received a penalty after the Australian Grand Prix. The FIA determined that the Spanish driver had driven in a potentially dangerous manner, violating Article 33.4 of the sporting regulations.
During the weekend in question, the FIA appointed a group of individuals as F1 Race Commissioners. These individuals included Tim Mayer, Matteo Perini, Matthew Selley, and Herbert. As a result, the abuse that followed was directed at Herbert, who was a former Formula 1 driver turned commentator and occasional FIA commissioner at selected Grand Prix events.
In an interview with the Fastest Payout Online Casino media team, Herbert recalled the negative consequences of his role as a commissioner at the Melbourne GP. He received a flood of death threats on social media, which he considered pathetic. Nevertheless, he considered himself lucky to be able to handle such criticism.
Herbert further explained that as commissioners, they thoroughly discussed the situation at hand. They had access to data and analysis from both drivers, Alonso and George Russell, as well as the teams involved. Therefore, they were well-informed about the events that led to the decision-making process.
The incident in question was so clear that there was no room for any form of justification. Furthermore, the high speed at which it occurred, reaching 300 km per hour, further emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
Herbert continued: “At the bottom of the screen, there were messages with dagger emojis, with people threatening to go to his house. Most of these messages were from Spanish individuals.”
“People should have understood the decision because it was clearly explained in the statement that was released. Some were also criticizing me for not being a Formula 1 world champion and claiming that I didn’t have the right to have an opinion,” Herbert revealed.
Similar incidents have occurred in the past, where FIA stewards faced harassment for making decisions that did not favor a specific driver. These attacks are often motivated by nationality and do not make the role of a steward appealing.
However, Herbert remains committed to his role in the FIA and is unwavering. “This has not discouraged me from being a steward. Unfortunately, it’s part of the job. I was the drivers’ steward in Melbourne, and it’s the driving steward who faces the most criticism. I accept that. It’s not a problem,” he stated.
The 59-year-old British driver won three Grand Prix races and also achieved victory in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race. With vast experience and success in various car racing categories, Herbert has proven to be a skilled competitor.
Herbert and Alonso have a history dating back to the moment when Johnny dared to suggest that Fernando should leave McLaren, where his second stint with the team turned out to be unsuccessful. This period was forgettable in Alonso’s illustrious Formula 1 career, as he struggled and became a backmarker until the end of that chapter. At the time, the McLaren driver confronted Herbert, who was working as a commentator for Sky F1.
Herbert shared the story: “This goes back a few years, I believe in Bahrain. Before that, when Alonso was at McLaren, he would constantly criticize the engine over the radio during almost every race, calling it a GP2 engine. He was very vocal about it. I was working for Sky and suggested that if Alonso didn’t like it, he should leave the team.”
“I never said he should retire. So, during a live broadcast in Bahrain, he confronted me and attacked me, stating that he would not retire and become a commentator because he was not a world champion,” Herbert recounted.
Alonso took a break from Formula 1 for two years (2019-2020), during which he achieved victories in Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), as well as participating in the Indianapolis 500 and the Dakar Rally. He later returned with Alpine.
Switching from the struggling French team to Aston Martin revitalized his career. At 42 years old, he remains a strong contender for podiums and sets a high standard for other Formula 1 drivers.
Like many genuine Formula 1 enthusiasts, Herbert has great admiration for Alonso: “I have immense respect for his achievements, winning two world championships. He deserved to have more. Since his time in Indianapolis, he has returned as a genuinely nice person.”
“I am happy to see him excelling in his current role. I have no personal issues with him. That’s not who I am. I really respect Alonso and everything he has achieved,” Herbert emphasized.
When asked about the disturbing online harassment, Herbert explained: “The threats persisted for two weeks and are still ongoing. It’s a sad reality of social media, where everyone feels entitled to express their opinions without having the necessary facts to support them.”
To combat the issue of online abuse, the governing body of Formula 1, the FIA, has launched a website as part of their intensified efforts.
Herbert expressed his dismay with the harsh reality of the modern world, where social media dominates and athletes and officials from various sports are constantly bombarded with death threats. This type of abuse is not limited to public figures, as ordinary people also experience it. Herbert believes that social media platforms should take responsibility for this problem, but fail to address it effectively. He finds it difficult to understand why they allow such behavior to happen without taking any action.
According to Herbert, it is crucial for these platforms to take immediate action when such incidents occur. However, he feels that they often claim to be unable to find a solution to prevent them, a claim he finds hard to believe. Although he may personally laugh off these threats, he acknowledges that they can deeply affect many people. Herbert firmly believes that when such incidents occur, appropriate measures should be taken, but he is frustrated by the lack of action being taken.
Herbert shared his own experience of receiving threatening comments, including those where people claimed to know his address and expressed intentions to harm him. He cannot understand the mentality of those who engage in this behavior. He believes that these people are not true fans of Formula 1 and suggests that Fernando Alonso, a prominent Formula 1 driver, would be ashamed if he knew his fans were behaving in this way.
In a recent interview with AFP and GRANDPRIX247 contributor Agnes Carlier, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed Herbert’s claims. He mentioned that FIA commissioner Silvia Bellot from Spain also received death threats and abuse. Ben Sulayem stated that FIA has launched a campaign against online abuse to protect individuals like Silvia. He emphasized that FIA often faces blame for various issues, but their focus is on doing what is right and taking appropriate actions. (Additional reporting by Agnes Carlier)
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