PlanetF1

Herbert backs F1's stewards

Monday 14-January-2013 11:44

Johnny Herbert has defended F1's stewards in the wake of Jackie Stewart's criticism as he believes they have been "pretty consistent."

Stewart recently hit out at F1's lack of permanent stewards, saying it played a role in the post-Brazilian controversy surrounding Sebastian Vettel's pass and ultimately his Championship victory.

"Was the judgement of yellow and green flags right or wrong in Brazil and why would that have to come up on a Wednesday or Thursday?" the triple World Champion told City A.M.

"That is a huge statement of a disorganised function that it should come up then. The whole world is celebrating a new World Champion and then that happens on a Wednesday. That is a poor declaration of management."

Herbert, though, reckons last year's stewards did a "pretty" good job.

Asked by Sky Sports about whether permanent stewards would 'improve consistency', the former driver said: "In some regards yes.

"One of the issues is that a lot of the stewards that go there don't get paid and you've got to start paying people then to start being there and sacrificing jobs.

"I know some of the stewards have other businesses and would they have time to do that alongside 19 or 20 races in a Formula 1 season? I'm not so sure.

"It is probably the best way. I'm not so sure that it is feasible with the situation they have at the moment. There may be ways around it but I'm not sure what they are.

"Consistency is always a good thing yes, but I think overall it has been pretty consistent personally. Yes, there are always going to be a few issues you don't agree with personally but overall I think it has worked very well."

Herbert, who took the role of drivers' representative in Australia and Malaysia on the panel last season, also praised the decision to make use of former drivers at grand prix weekends.

"I think it does a lot of good.

"There are a lot of stewards - and it is not their fault - that have never been behind a steering wheel. And there are certain situations that a driver can explain and I have had it when I have been there where I say 'I think he is going to say this,' and they come in and that is what they say.

"So it gives them a little bit of confidence that the penalty or not issuing a penalty is the right thing to do."

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