"Max Verstappen going to leave Brazil with a 50s time penalty and 13 penalty points": Fans react to Johnny Herbert being the FIA steward in Brazil

F1 fans discussed Max Verstappen's fate after it was announced that former F1 driver Johnny Herbert will be the FIA race steward for the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend. The former F1 pundit had been a race steward for a couple of seasons and was one at last weekend's Mexican Grand Prix as well.

Herbert and the remaining stewards gave the three-time world champion two separate 10-second penalties for his exchanges with Lando Norris during the race. The Red Bull driver was also awarded two penalty points on his super license, taking his tally to six.

It was announced that Herbert will again be the race steward at the race in Sao Paulo this weekend. F1 fans took to social media to give their reactions to the news, with one on X saying:

"Johnny Herbert is a steward again in brazil… Max Verstappen is going to leave brazil with a 50 sec time penalty and 13 penalty points."

"Can he not just go home?"

"Bro is gonna send max to jail."

"Watch Max do nothing wrong yet still get a penalty," a fan wrote.

"Ah ok, that explains why he was praising Max…..so he justify the incoming penalties by claiming he rates Max so why would he penalise him unnecessarily. Smart Johnny, smart!" another said.

"Max Verstappen is gonna get so many penalties in Brazil that he’ll start from Mexico," one wrote.

Commenting on Verstappen's upcoming race, world champion Damon Hill pointed to the Dutchman's incredible skill behind the wheel and said he should not have to resort to controversial driving.

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F1 world champion gives his take on Max Verstappen's controversial Mexican GP

Appearing on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, 1996 world champion Damon Hill spoke about the role of FIA amid controversy surrounding Max Verstappen's battle with Lando Norris in the 2024 Mexican GP.

"That's where the FIA or the sporting authorities have to step in. They have to be able to say, 'OK, we want competition and see that fieriness, but it has to be controlled.' It can't just be a demolition derby just to keep your place, or deny everyone getting a place just because you don't want to be overtaken, so there needs to be a way of disciplining the driver.

I think Max, if he carries on like that, there will be long-term questions over whether or not it was wise for him to drive like that. He's got so much talent, he's got so much ability. He could always use that skill to defeat his opponents. It shouldn't just be a dodgems race."

The Red Bull driver was heavily criticized for his moves on Lando Norris during the Mexican GP as he defended his P2 position from his title rival in the race's opening laps.