Ex-Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has slammed a comment made by Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko directed at Lewis Hamilton at last weekend’s Emilia Romagna’s Grand Prix.
Hamilton endured a difficult race running outside the top 10, eventually crossing the line in 13th place, one lap down on race-winner Max Verstappen.
It was labelled by Mercedes as a “low” for the car’s performance, which has failed to compete at the front of the field across the opening four grands prix of the season.
Mercedes has largely been struggling with severe bouncing on the straights, known as porpoising, which is forcing it to raise the car’s ride height to minimise its intensity on the straights.
Speaking after the grand prix in Imola, Marko stated: “I mean, he was lapped by us, so maybe he should have stopped last year.”
In 2021, Hamilton was involved in an intense title fight with Verstappen, with a heated rivalry also forming between the Red Bull and Mercedes camps.
The campaign ended in a questionable manner, with Verstappen overtaking Hamilton for the title on the final lap of the grand prix amid a controversial Safety Car restart.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Herbert took aim at Marko for his comment: “What a cheap shot – typical Helmut Marko and Red Bull, to be honest.
“After everything that happened last year – what a battle there was between Max and Lewis, and of course Red Bull and Mercedes.
“It went down to the wire, the race at the end of the year was completely and utterly wrong, but the man who dominated that last part of the year was Lewis Hamilton.
“So it just shows he was on fire at the end of last year. Would they [Red Bull] want him in their car? Yes, they would.
“But they know he’s a big threat to them once Mercedes get everything together and start battling for those race wins again.”
The guys at Sky are so far up Hamilton’s arse it’s pathetic. The way Crofty was making excuses for him being in 15th position while his teammate was 10 place ahead was disgusting.
Johnny Herbert, leader of men. Were Herbert a career noncom in the military, never would he have risen beyond the rank of lance corporal.
Who is Johnny Herbert to criticize Dr. Helmut Marko?
Red whingeing Bull are the worst team on grid for moaning about anything. Horner and Marko make a perfect pair of moaning minis So are a perfect fit the spoilt BRAT Max who throws teddy anytime it doesn’t go his way.
I really hope Ferrari wipe the floor with them and take the prancing horse takes both championships. Then hopefully F1’s best designer finally parts waves with them and let’s see how much whingeing Marko and Horner do then.
… after the GP of India, 2011, Johnny Herbert’s credibility was pretty much shot. Never will he ever serve in any officiating capacity, again. His only singular reason he still exists, peripheral to F1 is, being someone ready to apologize for Lewis Hamilton, moment’s notice –
Time to face facts, Charles LeClerk, Max Verstappen, George Russell and Lando Norris are mopping the floor with Lewis Hamilton. Everybody knows it.
GP of India, 2011, Hamilton botched his start, would up stuck behind Massa. Impulsive, Hamilton misjudged a turn 5 pass, took out Felipe Massa. Overcome by nationalistic biased, race steward Johnny Herbert botched the ruling, ordering Felipe Massa penalized over Hamilton’s driver error. Never again was Johnny Herbert ever entrusted any position of authority, by FiA or F1. The only reason he’s there is, Lewis Hamilton wants him there.
Here in America, we had to sit here, suffering through fake F1 commentator Leigh Diffy, sticking up for him “… well, Johnny Herbert, you can’t get anymore fair minded than that!” Fed up with the English commonwealth biased, everyone here in America started switching over to the Mexican cable simulcast –
His credibility forever spent, after his behavior at the Grand Prix of India, 2011, you are free to discount or disregard anything Johnny Herbert says or does.
11 years later, this finally comes up. Definitely some unfinished business, such brazen lack of objectivity surprised me, a Grand Prix winner, sinning on his science. McLaren people likely pulling strings behind the scenes, calling in a favor, Johnny waffled like a Craig’s list whore. That’s about the worst call I’ve seen a driver steward’s make. I think the Ferrari people made darned sure Johnny never be entrusted any significant role beyond that of an F1 pendant. No one in organized motor sport will ever entrust Johnny, again –
Seen it a hundred times, turn 5 was Felipe’s corner. Hamilton’s fault, entirely. And, Johnny Herbert knew it.
Bless his heart, Johnny Herbert put in charge of Formula 1 would be indicative of Joseph Biden, president of the United States.