Johnny Herbert has accused "certain people" of convincing the to sack him as a Formula One steward. The 60-year-old has claimed that he was initially given the job for the 2025 season but believes FIA president rowed back on that decision after key individuals wielded their influence.

Ben Sulayem insisted earlier this month that Herbert accepted there was a "conflict of interest" due to the former driver's prominent role in F1 media. Herbert gave forthright views about Max Verstappen's "horrible mindset" just days after playing a part in the Red Bull star being handed two 10-second penalties at last year's Mexican Grand Prix. Red Bull raised concerns that there could be a conflict of interest in Herbert effectively refereeing races while being paid to give his opinion in the media.

However, Herbert now insists that controversy had been put in the past during talks with the FIA ahead of the 2025 season. He says he was initially given the stewarding job for the year, before the offer was later rescinded.

"It didn't come from within the FIA initially. It was all to do with chitter chatter to the FIA that made them change their point of view," Herbert told Casino Apps.

"Everything I'd done all year long in 2024 had been discussed and accepted. Two days before I was eventually given the sack over the phone, I'd been told all was good for 2025. Then it wasn't.

"I understand how everything came about. But I am not going to point the finger. But as I said, there were certain people who did actually speak with the president [of the FIA] and that's why the president finally made that decision to get rid of me."

Ben Sulayem has claimed that Herbert accepted the FIA's decision to part ways earlier this year. The F1 chief said: "Johnny was a very good commissioner, but then there was a conflict of interest and he knows that.

"You can't be a journalist in a big company and express your point of view and then play the commissioner, who is a referee. You [might] say: 'My best case scenario is that so-and-so wins.'

"And what if that driver you prefer has another driver in first or second place? How do you make your judgement? He understood [the decision] and he thanked the FIA [for the opportunity] and we thanked him for what he did."