Formula 1 legend Johnny Herbert has detailed the “lovely experience” of driving a Formula E car, having recently got behind the wheel of a Gen3 Evo machine.

Herbert hopped aboard the Lola T001 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month, having become an ambassador for the British marque earlier this year.

Lola chose Formula E as its first major avenue of motorsport upon its return to existence, having been taken over by British businessman Till Bechtolsheimer.

Partnering with the existing ABT outfit and going into collaboration with Japanese giants Yamaha, the team accomplished the campaign, juggling many uphill tasks.

Depsite only having taken delivery of a Gen3 Evo mid-last year, Lola was able to still score 32 points in its debut season, as well as one podium, all coming from veteran Lucas di Grassi.

Three-time Grand Prix winner Herbert, speaking exclusively to Motorsport Week, revealed what the experience of driving an all-electric racing car for the first time was like.

“It was the first time [driving a Formula E car], and it was the first time with the Halo,” he said. “I’ve never even driven a Halo before. So that was interesting, just doing that.

“A Halo, you don’t even know it’s there. It’s quite nice to actually use it to get in and get out, pull yourself out! So that’s the positive of it. And then there’s the safety aspect.

“But then it’s the actual driving of the car. We initially started with 300 kilowatts. Then I sort of got bored of that quite quickly.

“So we went to 350. And the wonderful four-wheel drive launch that you get off the start line in Goodwood was really, really nice. And then I got a bit bored of that!

“And I thought, let’s have a little bit more fun. So actually, we did Attack Mode, but without the four-wheel drive and just had rear-wheel drive. And that was really good to see how long I could do the burnouts off of the line. So a really lovely experience for me.”

Herbert explains newfound ‘understanding’ on Formula E challenge

Herbert further explained how he now has a newfound understanding of how it is to tackle a Formula E car, which will commence its final season of the Gen3 era in December.

“I have a bit more of an understanding of what drivers are feeling when they’re actually on the racetrack,” he said. 

“I know it’s [the Goodwood climb] sort of up a drive, so it’s a little bit different.

“Cornering, I have nearly no idea at all. But I do have a closer understanding of what the guys are going through in the cockpit. So I was very fortunate to have that opportunity.”

Herbert revealed that he will have another stint in the car soon “with a bit of luck.”

“But I loved it,” he added. “All I wanted to play with, because obviously, we got the regen paddles.

“And then you’ve got the two paddles at the top where you can sort of do the finer tuning.

“And I wanted to feel it. And unfortunately, it wasn’t really the right place to feel that. 

“But the fundamentals underneath the car, no aerodynamics, and just feeling how the car was. 

“It was very slick, I have to say, in a straight line. Very, very slick. And the wonderful torque you get low down. 

“And then that electrification sort of linear power band that they have was nice to feel.”

READ MORE – The unique reason Oliver Rowland may waive right to take #1 plate in Formula E

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Jack Doohan’s future with the Alpine team will be “purely down to his performances,” according to multiple-time Formula 1 race winner Johnny Herbert.

The Australian’s time in F1 has been under question even before the campaign began, with the Anglo-French marque signing Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver.

Rumours have continued to swirl that the Argentinian, who scored points in his 2024 stint with Williams, will eventually replace Doohan to partner Pierre Gasly.

However, it now appears that the Enstone-based squad will afford Doohan more time, with speculation initially pointing towards the forthcoming Miami Grand Prix being his last.

Speaking exclusively to Motorsport Week, Herbert said that that gulf in performances between Doohan and Gasly not being as large as first predicted is giving the team a lot to consider.

“It’s all down to Jack,” he said. “What the track and what the performance is, and hopefully there aren’t going to be as many mistakes coming into play.

“It’s purely down to his performances. Actually, his performances haven’t been bad, to be perfectly honest. He hasn’t blown away by Pierre at all. Qualifying pace is very similar.

“So it’s probably a little bit of a headache for Flavio [Briatore, Alpine’s Executive Advisor], because I think he wanted it probably to be getting blown away, getting completely destroyed mentally, and then he can quickly do that change.”

Herbert also pointed out that whilst the two men’s qualifying prior to Bahrain hadn’t been hugely different, performing well in the race, which has been a downfall so far, is where it really matters.

“Qualifying, that’s one thing. But as you know, as is in everything else, or when it’s down into the race, so the race is something that he’s got to harness all the energies, the negative energies that may be there, the positive energies that are there, and do the job in a race situation, and that will be his saviour,” he highlighted.

“If it doesn’t happen, then it will be Colopinto, for sure. Because I think Flavio is very aware that other people probably are interested.”

Doohan must contribute to Alpine points haul

Herbert did, however, point out that the hopeful points haul for Alpine in the Constructors’ Championship might prove pivotal in what it eventually decides.

The team finished sixth in the table last year via Gasly and Esteban Ocon’s late-season form, and it will look to maintain its stature in the midfield.

“I know the market’s probably a little bit fixed for the next year or two, or for some of them quite a lot more, if you go McLaren, for example,” he said. 

“But you need to try and grab the best drivers that you can at a certain time. 

“If you do, going back to Red Bull, and even my time at Benetton, it was always about the Constructors’ Championship as well.

“So you’ve got to have the right drivers there. 

“It’s been Max all on his own, effectively, although Sergio [Perez] probably has done, he did do a good job, it just wasn’t good enough for what Red Bull, again, expectations that they have.

“So it’s going to be down to having a driver there that can give them that, give them those results.

“And with Jack, that’s exactly what he’s got to do. If he does that, he doesn’t have to worry.”

READ MORE – How Oscar Piastri is avoiding ‘negative’ emotions in F1 championship battle

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Formula 1 legend Johnny Herbert has praised Formula E, describing it as “brilliant to watch,” as he grows into his new role as a Global Brand Ambassador for Lola.

Herbert, who raced in F1 between 1989 and 2000, was announced in the role two months ago, one day after being dumped by the FIA as a drivers’ steward.

The Brit, who won 3 Grands Prix in his career, is a hugely-popular figure within the sport, and his profile has suitably come together with that of the Lola brand, another famed British motorsport institution.

Speaking exclusively to Motorsport Week, Herbert explained how and why he chose to link-up with the manufacturer, which shares an FE team entry from this season with Yamaha and ABT.

“It all started with Keith Smout who’s a part of Lola [Chief Commercial Officer] and been part of Formula E for a long time. 

|”I met him when we were both doing Formula 1, and we’ve always kept in touch, and this Lola project came up. We’ve been talking about it for a while.

“And then eventually meeting Till [Bechtolsheimer, Lola owner] a couple of years ago, racing with him at the Goodwood Revival, and it sort of just moved forward from that point of view. 

“Till was explaining exactly what he wanted – he’s a petrolhead, loves his motorsport, loves his history and classic cars mainly. But he does do a little bit of sports cars and stuff like that.

“And then when he bought Lola, it was one of those situations of… he wants to build the brand back up, which is wonderful. It’s lovely.”

Herbert articulates the appeal of being affiliated with Lola, given the richness of its heritage.

“You know how famous the Lola brand name is and there’s everything else that goes with it, the T70 and the success he had with the various categories.

“I always remember that wonderful time with Nigel Mansell out in the States doing CART after he won the Formula 1 World Championship. Of course, that was in a Lola.

“I’ve driven a Lola myself a Champ Car – and so there was a little bit of a connection with that, but it was more the bringing back of the name, and I think that’s where Till’s got this vision.

“And so far, the build up has been brilliantly done by going into Formula E, and that was something that sort of was making it interesting for me to be a part of this new journey for Lola.”

‘Exciting’ Formula E has ‘fantastic place in motorsport’

“When it first came in, there was a lot of hype that it was going to take over Formula 1 and it was going to be the next big thing. 

“But of course, Formula 1 is a very, very different monster, but it has a fantastic place in motorsport because the electric cars we have on the road, the development of that is something that has improved massively. It’s still got a long way to go. 

“And what motorsport is very good at is developing those technologies and I think Formula E is one of those that has been able to push the boundaries of the electric motor forward, and the cars themselves are producing a lot of power nowadays. 

“350 kilowatts in qualifying, 300 in a race with that little 50 boost that they get, and the racing I always find brilliant to watch. 

“And some people, and this is always where I’m still an old school driver, because I like the challenge of the circuits they have on some of the streets that they race on. They’re bumpy, nothing wrong with being bumpy!

“I always remember there’s a word that you don’t hear so much in Formula 1, for example, but you have to use it a lot in Formula E. It’s a ‘compromise’. 

“When there are bumps on the circuit, you have to compromise with certain, I don’t know, aero settings or ride heights or whatever it may be, because those bumps are on the circuit. 

“So I like that there are those challenges there for the engineers and for the drivers. Physically, it’s quite hard at the same time, and I like the racing. 

“I like the racing where there is a little bit of push and shove, and it’s exciting when you tune in; there’s normally some battle going on either at the front or even further behind as well. 

“So because of that, the entertainment side of it has its place, and I think the rawness of the racing is really, really good.

“They’ve got some fantastic drivers that are in there at the same time, and I think that only pushes it to a level where the enjoyment of people watching it on TV comes into play., because humans always like a visual entertainment.

“I think Formula E definitely does a visual entertainment on that, and then you add in the technology that goes with it. 

“Some people don’t like the fan boost that we used to have. Obviously, that’s not part of it now, now we’ve got the extra boost that we’ve got. 

“We’ve got the way that qualifying works nowadays with the groups and then the duels. The quarterfinal, semifinal, back into the final, andI like that. It’s something different.

“But I think it just only adds to what the entertainment factor should be. So there’s a lot of positives with Formula E, and I hope it does continue to grow, and I think it will.

READ MORE – Five talking points ahead of the 2025 Formula E Miami E-Prix

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Johnny Herbert has backed Yuki Tsunoda to perform at Red Bull amid his debut for the team at this weekend’s Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.

The Japanese driver has been switched with the underperforming Liam Lawson, who has been sent back to Racing Bulls, with Tsunoda lining up for the Milton Keynes squad alongside Max Verstappen.

This year’s RB21 has proved to be a difficult car to wrestle with, and with Lawson failing to get out of Q1 in both of his Grands Prix with the team, the team believes that Tsunoda’s experience may prove crucial in how it can potentially develop the car going forward.

In an exclusive interview with Motorsport Week, three-time Grand Prix-winner and Lola Brand Ambassador Herbert said that Tsunoda should have been handed the drive all along.

“Well, before they made their decision, I was saying it’s Yuki, Yuki, Yuki, just because he was performing brilliantly on the racetrack itself,” he said. “He’s qualified. It’s always very exciting to watch.”

“And then I think what has improved the most – and I know Helmut Marko was critical of him a year or two ago – was his race pace, and his race pace was a little bit all over the place. 

“But that has improved as well. So the package, I thought, was the right package to put into that position. 

Lawson was drafted for the final six races of 2024, replacing Daniel Ricciardo, alongside Tsunoda at Racing Bulls, finishing ahead of him only once outright, at the United States Grand Prix.

Herbert intimated that being unable to get the better of Tsunoda in most of these races, and his lack of race time, was sufficient proof that the Kiwi was not quite ready to step into the main Red Bull team.

“Now, Liam did a brilliant job when he came in replacing Daniel [at Racing Bulls]. He did a good job up against Yuki,” he said.

“Did he beat Yuki and dominate Yuki? No. Did Yuki probably dominate Liam? Probably slightly. But he’s got the more experience at the same time.”

READ MORE – Yuki Tsunoda doesn’t expect ‘the truth’ from Max Verstappen over Red Bull car quirks

Tsunoda will need ‘energy’ to get close to Verstappen at Red Bull

Herbert praised Tsunoda’s “hell of a lot of energy” behind the wheel of a racing car, but recognised the challenge he has in the form of his four-time World Champion team-mate, adding: “And I think that’s something that he needs to have when he goes and now has that chance at Red Bull.

“But he’s up against Max. And it’s not always just Max. It’s Ayrton Senna in the past; it’s Nigel Mansell in the past; it’s Lewis [Hamilton]; it’s Fernando Alonso. 

“Those guys just always have that something extra. Whenever they’re struggling, they can always dip their hand in their back pocket and find a couple of tenths, like they always do.

“I suppose the expectations are probably the biggest thing that changes. When you’re in a smaller team, it’s quite a nice family environment, and you’re not thinking of winning races, you’re probably not thinking of being on the podium.

“But when you get in a big team, you’re expected to be on the podium, and you’re probably expected, if the car’s good enough, let’s say, to win races.

“So the pressure is completely different when you get into those big teams. That’s going to be the test even for Yuki, and we saw it with Liam. It didn’t click.”

Red Bull senior advisor Marko has stated since the swap was made that the team made “a mistake” in the decision to hand Lawson the drive, something Herbert corroborated.

“I know it’s not fair, two races, but in those two races, it was a bit of a disaster, so they jumped in quickly. 

“Red Bull just looked at it and said, ‘we did make a mistake’, and they probably didn’t give him enough time because he’s done 11 races [career total]. That’s all.

“I know some people can jump in, let’s say going back to Lewis or Ayrton, Max – they can jump in and they can do the job straight away. Not everybody does that.

“Some people take a bit of time to get into the role that they’re expected to be in, so it’s tough, but it is tough, F1. It’s not fair.”

READ MORE – Max Verstappen warns Red Bull issues aren’t solved despite ‘special’ Japan pole

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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has explained the reasons the motorsport governing body dismissed Johnny Herbert as a driver steward ahead of the new Formula 1 season.

Last week, Herbert was removed from his post, which he held for 15 years after the organisation concluded his role and additional media work were “incompatible.”

It was thought that Herbert, who raced in F1 between 1989 and 2000, was due to work as a steward at the opening round of the new season in Australia, but after being removed, he stated he was “grateful” to Ben Sulayem for the opportunity, admitting “tough decisions” have to be made.

Ben Sulayem, who has witnessed the exits of various high-ranking FIA officials, including stewards, over recent months, confirmed the reasons given are accurate.

“Johnny was a very good commissioner, but then there was a conflict of interest and he knows that,” he told Spanish publication Marca.

“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.”

Ben Sulayem added that the FIA is in need of producing “new blood” for the stewards’ room, saying the pool of stewards from which to choose “should be wider.

“We should not be limited and that is why tomorrow with the stewards we will have new blood.

“It will give us a new selection that is going to sustain the business of motorsport.”

‘More than one’ Race Director for 2025 amid FIA professionalism drive

Ben Sulayem also intimated that more than one person will be F1’s Race Director for this season, saying: “Who and how many is a question we will know soon, in the next few days.

“But for sure there will be new blood and there will be more than one [race director]. That’s for sure.”

This comes after a tumultuous end to the 2024 campaign, which saw Niels Wittich dismissed a week prior to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and replaced by his Formula 2 counterpart Rui Marques.

Wittich initially took over alongside Eduardo Freitas in 2022, following the firing of Michael Masi after the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but held the position solo from 2023.

Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater director, has previously commented that the organisation will be “a more professional body,” after a new department for officials was set set-up, in the hope that the drivers, who have voiced concerns around the issue, will be placated.

READ MORE – F1 Circuit Contracts: Which venues have expiring deals on the current calendar?

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Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner denies that Max Verstappen influenced the FIA’s decision to remove Johnny Herbert from his role as Formula 1 race steward.

The former British racing driver was axed by the sport’s governing body after it deemed his work as a pundit was “incompatible” with his role at the FIA.

Herbert has often shared his opinions on F1 for various media outlets and gambling sites, but he was criticised for his comments last season after the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Verstappen was penalised in Mexico for tangling with Lando Norris twice and the 60-year-old berated him, stating his driving was over the top.

The Dutchman’s father Jos Verstappen hit back after being vexed by his comments – claiming certain former drivers are biased towards certain drivers.

Herbert maintained that he could work as a race steward and give his opinion on certain F1 incidents.

But the FIA disagreed and removed him from his role, which Horner stressed that the Red Bull driver played no part in his exit.

“Firstly, it has absolutely nothing to do with Max but it’s absolutely the right decision,” Horner told Sky Sports at the Autosport Awards.

“You cannot have stewards working in the media.

“You don’t have it in the Premiership [Premier League, football], you don’t have it in any other form of professional sport – it’s totally inappropriate.

“You’re either on the sporting regulatory side or you’re on the media side.

“You can’t have a foot in both camps.”

Herbert shares response to FIA sacking

After only a day since his termination from the governing body, the former Benetton racing driver landed a new role in Formula E as the Global Brand Ambassador for Lola Cars.

Confirming his arrival, Lola released a statement which read: “The 1991 Le Mans victor and three-time Grand Prix winner has joined to bring his expertise to Lola Cars as we look to expand our presence across the highest echelons of motorsport and drive future progress in sustainable motor racing.”

Herbert also provided his reaction to the news on his Instagram page expressing his gratitude for having the chance to officiate in F1.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity of being an FIA Driver Steward and I have thoroughly enjoyed the role I have been involved in over the years,” Herbert wrote.

“It is a difficult job and there are tough decisions that have to be made.

“As Stewards, we have and will continue to treat both drivers and team personnel with the utmost respect and remain impartial at all times during all F1 Grand Prix weekends.

“Finally, I’m very grateful to the President and everyone at the FIA for the opportunities I have been given.”

Steward officiating in 2024 was a hot topic as the FIA often faced criticism for the decisions made over a race weekend.

However, after announcing plans for a new department to train up-and-coming stewards, Nikolas Tombazis recently defended the organisation.

He felt that the officiating was of a “pretty consistent” standard in comparison to the thoughts of the drivers and teams.

READ MORE: Christian Horner deserves ‘credit’ for handling of difficult 2024 F1 season at Red Bull

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Johnny Herbert has responded to his dismissal as a Formula 1 race steward due to his media duties having been deemed “incompatible” with his work for the FIA.

The 60-year-old has held his role with the sport’s governing body since 2010 and has been a media analyst for Sky Sports F1 since 2012 until 2023.

Herbert has been vocal about his opinions on F1 across his time working as an FIA steward, even casting his predictions on the upcoming 2025 campaign last week.

However, by expressing his thoughts, Herbert faced backlash last year for being biased – particularly from Jos Verstappen – and being sympathetic towards certain drivers or teams.

This came amid Herbert’s criticism towards Max Verstappen’s on-track behaviour, though the Briton asserted that he separated his work as a steward from his work as a pundit.

But the FIA has appeared to disagree with that notion and parted with Herbert, who has since released a statement in reaction to the news on his Instagram page.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity of being an FIA Driver Steward and I have thoroughly enjoyed the role I have been involved in over the years,” Herbert wrote.

“It is a difficult job and there are tough decisions that have to be made.

“As Stewards, we have and will continue to treat both drivers and team personnel with the utmost respect and remain impartial at all times during all F1 Grand Prix weekends.

“Finally, I’m very grateful to the President and everyone at the FIA for the opportunities I have been given.”

Herbert continues F1 punditry duties

A handful of stewards are selected by the FIA to steward each session and hand out any necessary penalties or reprimands to the drivers and teams if there is a breach of the rules.

At least one steward will be a former driver, but the FIA feels it can no longer work with Herbert in its latest statement.

It read: “It is with regret that we announce today that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfil the position of F1 driver steward for the FIA.

“Johnny is widely respected and brought invaluable experience and expertise to his role.

“However, after discussion, it was mutually agreed that his duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible.

“We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Whilst his time with the FIA has come to an end, Herbert has found a role as Global Brand Ambassador for Lola Cars, which has returned to racing in Formula E.

READ MORE: FIA drops Johnny Herbert as F1 steward due to ‘incompatible’ media role

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Johnny Herbert has been announced as a Global Brand Ambassador for Lola Cars, just one day after being dropped as a Formula 1 race steward by the FIA.

The former F1 driver and TV pundit “mutually agreed” with the FIA that his role was no longer “compatible” with his media duties, ending his 15-year tenure as on of its driver stewards.

But Herbert has found a new position at the famed British manufacturer, which is now taking its first steps back into top level motorsport with entry in the all-electric Formula E championship.

Whispers about Herbert’s involvement with the brand had already begun, having been present at the shakedown of its GEN3 Evo FE challenger – the T001 – last year.

In a statement, Herbert said it is “hugely exciting” to be part of brand, adding: “Lola has always been a big part of the motorsport world and, having grown up with Lolas around me in Formula Ford, sportscars and F1, joining the team for this next chapter feels like the perfect fit.

“I look forward to working with Lola and its partners, opening doors for the brand and helping contribute not only to the renewed success of such a storied name, but to the sustainable future of top tier motorsport as well.”

Lola’s Chairman Till Bechtolsheimer said: “The addition of a driver like Johnny to the Lola team is a real landmark moment for me.

“Having witnessed numerous displays of his talent and sportsmanship throughout his career, I am thrilled to get the opportunity to work alongside him.

“He is not only an ideal ambassador for everything that Lola stands for, but his wealth of experience will be a priceless resource for our present and future drivers.”

Lola role a new string to Herbert’s illustrious motorsport bow

Johnny Herbert raced in F1 between 1989 and 2000, a remarkable achievement in itself, having nearly lost both feet in a horrific Formula 3000 accident at Brands Hatch just months before his debut.

Despite being the only F1 driver in history to qualify for a disabled parking badge, Herbert utilised all his talent to make a success of his career, winning three Grands Prix, the first coming in-front of his home fans at Silverstone in 1995.

Herbert also has one of motorsport’s most prestigious feats to his name – victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours, which he took in 1991 for Mazda.

After retiring from racing, Herbert became a TV analyst with Sky Sports F1, a role he held up until 2023, and continues to provide comment for various outlets.

Despite his longstanding position within the FIA now gone, Herbert is regarded as a highly-respected figure in British motor racing, and joining forces with such an iconic brand such as Lola seems like the ideal fit.

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Johnny Herbert has departed his role as one of the Formula 1 driver stewards after the FIA concluded his work as a media analyst was “incompatible” with the role.

Herbert, who raced in F1 between 1989 and 2000, stated that he would be continuing in his position last week at the season-opening round in Australia in March.

But the sport’s governing body has confirmed Herbert, who also previously provided analysis for Sky Sports F1 until 2023, will not maintain the role, which he has held since 2010.

A statement from the FIA read: “It is with regret that we announce today that Johnny Herbert will no longer fulfil the position of F1 driver steward for the FIA.

“Johnny is widely respected and brought invaluable experience and expertise to his role.

“However, after discussion, it was mutually agreed that his duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible.

“We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Public Verstappen criticism cast doubt on Herbert’s authority

Herbert’s outspoken nature had previously put his role as a steward under scrutiny, with questions raised about impartiality.

After the Mexico City Grand Prix, Herbert criticised the driving ethics of Max Verstappen after the World Champion received two 10-second time penalties for two incidents with Lando Norris.

Max’s father Jos took offence to Herbert’s remarks, telling Dutch outlet De Telegraaf: “The FIA should take a good look at the staffing of the stewards, who they put there and whether there is no appearance of a conflict of interest.

“From former drivers, for example, who have more sympathy for certain drivers or [teams].”

Herbert rebuffed such criticism, telling TheRace last year: “I am Johnny Herbert the steward and the professional during a race weekend and Johnny Herbert a pundit at other times, who expresses what he thinks.

“When I am a steward, I do not express any opinions.

“Everyone has an opinion. Martin Brundle has an opinion. Why can’t I when I am not at the race track?

“The race track has been my world for 50 years. If I don’t quite agree with what I see on the race track I will say so. It is not just Max. I’ll criticise anyone if I feel it is warranted.

“I understand it from Jos’s point of view because it is his son. Is there any bias?

“No, of course not. I wasn’t the only one to think that Max was over the top in Mexico. Lando Norris and Zak Brown thought so too.

“When I do speak to people on a Monday or Tuesday that is outside my stewarding responsibilities.”

READ MORE – FIA drops Johnny Herbert as F1 steward due to ‘incompatible’ media role

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FIA steward Johnny Herbert expects McLaren to triumph in 2025, but he has admitted he would like to see Lewis Hamilton win the Formula 1 championship with Ferrari.

Mclaren and Ferrari battled for the Constructors’ Championship right until the last race, with the Woking-based squad coming out on top to end its prolonged title drought.

Red Bull’s domination earlier in the campaign had given Max Verstappen a sizeable enough advantage, though, to retain his crown despite the team’s mid-season slump.

Heading into a 2025 season that appears well poised, Herbert is anticipating McLaren to start stronger than the rest, but he concedes there could be a repeat of last term.

Speaking with Casinoutanspelpaus.io, Herbert said: “Do I expect a particular team to start off strong like Red Bull and Max Verstappen did last year? Probably not.

“I would expect it to be McLaren but I do remember the beginning of last year where they ended the year before quite strong, but they didn’t quite carry it through.

“And Red Bull got the jump on them, which is why Max and Red Bull won the championship eventually because they started very, very strong even with a weak sort of middle of the season.

“It didn’t matter though because they already gained a big point advantage and then McLaren were chasing after that.”

When asked for his predictions for the 2025 F1 season, the 60-year-old said he would like to see Hamilton win a record eighth World Championship with Ferrari.

“Yes, I think Lewis Hamilton winning the championship this year would be the perfect scenario,” he added.

Herbert wants McLaren to start strong

Norris and Piastri together won six races for McLaren in 2024 as the British driver finished second in the Drivers’ Standings, with his Australian team-mate in fourth.

The Papaya duo enjoyed a successful mid-season run, but its aspirations for the Drivers’ title were undone by another slow start to the season – similar to that of 2023.

Continuing his predictions for 2025, Herbert stated that McLaren deserves to win next season as the fight between its drivers could get interesting.

“But I tell you what, the one I think who has earned it over the last couple of years is McLaren,” he highlighted.

“With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, it’s going to be a tough one for both of those two drivers up against each other.”

He also professed how he would love for the Woking-based outfit to build on a successful start and continue that throughout the year.

“It’d be lovely to see McLaren come out strong at the beginning but then carry that the whole way through with this momentum that they’ve been able to generate over the last couple of years,” he said.

Whilst Herbert admitted he could see the similarities between the successes of both teams as of late, he conveyed how he would like to see McLaren come out on top in 2025.

”Yes, I think Ferrari winning the championship would be brilliant for the sport,” Herbert continued.

“But I think for me, it would be nice to see McLaren win again.

“Like Ferrari, they’ve been around for such a long time and been so successful for many, many years.

“But we haven’t seen that in recent times, a little bit like Ferrari.”

READ MORE: Nico Rosberg backs Charles Leclerc to beat ‘struggling’ Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

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