Johnny Herbert: "Vettel should have been sanctioned"
- Published on 06 Nov 2016 14:06
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Former Formula One driver and Sky Sports pundit Johnny Herbert believes that Vettel should have received some form of penalty following the Mexican Grand Prix.
Vettel was heard swearing about Max Verstappen and Charlie Whiting during the race, after Verstappen cut a chicane, gained an advantage and didn't give the position back. Herbert feels that type of act deserves to be punished.
"The worst thing was the stuff directly at Charlie. I thought that was out of order and something should have been done about that one. It's a step too far," he said.
"You are hearing a frustrated Sebastian Vettel coming out with all this stuff and we want to hear it. But you know you've got to be sometimes careful with what you say and how you say it.
"We heard it, it was directed at Charlie in a very rude manner which is unacceptable. He should have got something. He got off scot-free."
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Replies (17)
Login to replyf1dave
Posts: 782
Everybody seemed to want the return of radio communications, now they don't want to hear what was said. These are supposed to be private channels between the teams and their drivers that are now being listened in on. Please make up your minds .
James Raven
Posts: 2,419
Yes, we want to hear it but they do know we are all listening in.
Vettel knowingly spilled this out in the open. He took the time to open the radio and rant.
Worst is, in my opnion, not that he cursed (clear sign of weakness) but that he is trying or thinking he can influence the race director.
ringo
Posts: 3,633
lately they talk about Respect. is also about Max his driving style, he seemed like show no respect to his college.. but he show respect atleast to his team mate..... order in te style of respect, the boss of the steward you should not talk so low to him. Thats not respectfull, pretty ironical, the punishment he get and talking about respect comes all from vettel & anti-max camp... is just ironical...but an referee/stewart you should respect, in other sports also is.. even its open on tv, there are parts its not private because stewarts need to follow...
Bhurt
Posts: 320
You're right of course. Nobody forced the production team to air the expletives directed at Charlie Whiting. Ferrari and Vettel certainly didn't. The production team chose to broadcast those messages, if anyone should be punished for using foul language during the race it's them.
Hemex
Posts: 1,305
I beg to disagree with you BHurt, not the fact that the messages were aired, but that they were said and overheard by the referee. If a soccer player would use foul language to an opponent (or a teammate for that matter), the referee would also show the yellow (or even the red) card. Putting it on air allows us to discuss it more extensively, but should not influence the penal process.
Bhurt
Posts: 320
Not sure what football is like where you live Hemex, but if a yellow card was shown for every expletive said on the pitch, there would be 22 red cards in the first half alone.
The moral outcry over a few words said in the heat of the moment is just ridiculous. What Vettel said is said dozens of times a day on TV, in films, in music and in everyday life.
Besides, if Whiting had done his job and told Verstappen to give the place back, none of it would have happened. In Vettel's place, who wouldn't have been furious at Whiting?
Hemex
Posts: 1,305
You have a point there, BHurt, because football has come to accept a lot more as 'normal' than would be the case in our daily life. I don't remember anyone ever saying 'F... you' in my face. May have happened behind my back, I don't know, and I don't very much care. But if you say those words to the referee, I would hope a decent referee would have you leave the field immediately. I guess there are countries where that would not happen, but most countries in Europe would, or at least should.
The 'heat of the moment' argument sucks bigtime. Murders have been committed 'in the heat of the moment'. But you'd be incarcerated nonetheless, once you're caught. No, I don't want to compare insulting someone with murdering him (or her), but we live in a civilized society, and losing your temper is just 'not done'. On the streets, on the football field, or on the radio in an F1 car.
Last but not least, Charlie Whiting does not usually make that call. They have stewards reviewing the case, and that takes time. Calling for an immediate decision, just because Seb can't keep his cool, is silly. Happens all the time: '... will be investigated after the race.' Vettel knows that and it's part of the game. His problem was Ricciardo catching up on him. But that's not Charlies problem, and you are not really asking to accelerate the penalty just because Vettel gets scared, are you?
Bhurt
Posts: 320
Heaven forbid a driver expresses real emotion during a race. Outrage!
Hemex
Posts: 1,305
There is (at least in my view) a slight difference between expressing emotion (even including cursing), and insulting someone. And even that would not matter much, except for pressing that little button that says 'radio' on it. As soon as you do that, it's a different ball game. The outrage only comes from the public and has nothing to do with it, except for the public itself.
denis1304
Posts: 284
it's team radio, and they can say what they want!
Hemex
Posts: 1,305
Up to a point, yes. But insulting some in public is not done. And it does not matter who does the insulting and who is the target. Someone has to draw the line, and that's Charlie and Co.
denis1304
Posts: 284
it's team radio, just because we get to hear what they say, isn't enough for "you" to censor them
Hemex
Posts: 1,305
I'm certainly not censoring anything. I'm part of the public, LMAO. Or did I give you the impression I'm the referee?
Ever read the rules that every driver has to agree to? It's not allowed to insult anyone, whatever you like to hear. On air or otherwise.
denis1304
Posts: 284
have you seen quotes at you?? and F1 has stewards and marshals not referees... LMAO
Hemex
Posts: 1,305
Ahh! At last a substantial argument I can't refute. Well done.
denis1304
Posts: 284
regarding rules, i specially like "International sporting code and appendices, Appendix Y to the international sporting code" that reads "Liar liar pants on fire"
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
I think Danny Ric summed it up pretty well saying it's best to give yourself a few seconds and say a few words in your helmet before you hit the radio button. Especially when you know the world is listening and you are directing your comments to one of the most respected men in F1. I have to agree with Herbert on this one, I think he deserved a stronger penalty for swearing at Charlie, but as it is with his deserved 10 point penalty for moving under braking, he has the humiliation of having his podium, or at least his trophy haven been taken away.