Formula 1 Driver Receives Death Threats Following Australian Grand Prix Penalty Judgment
Fans of Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso have launched a scathing and threatening attack against Johnny Herbert, a former F1 driver who played a role in the judgment of Alonso’s penalty at the Australian Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso found himself at odds following the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix after receiving a penalty for brake testing George Russell during the final laps of the race. Following the incident with the Mercedes driver, Alonso, the Spanish Aston Martin driver, was handed a 20-second time penalty along with three penalty points.
"Death threats poured in through social media,"
A report by Vezess highlights that among the stewards working during the Melbourne weekend was Johnny Herbert, whose relationship with Alonso has been less than amicable. This became fertile ground for the most fervent fans of the two-time world champion to target Herbert, a three-time grand prix winner, with death threats.
“The backlash from the Melbourne race was horrendous. I was inundated with death threats on social media. I'm fortunate that I can handle them, but I find it pathetic that I was singled out,” expressed the former racer, who has been active as a TV analyst in recent years.
Herbert believes that it is this very role as a TV analyst that sparked the controversy. His relationship with Alonso has indeed been tense, especially after a live broadcast incident. At a time when Alonso was racing with the less competitive McLaren, Herbert, as an analyst, once suggested that the Spaniard should consider leaving. Alonso became aware of this and took the opportunity to rebuke Herbert live on air. “You became a commentator because you didn’t become a world champion,” Alonso retorted during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in 2016.
Herbert’s own career has been filled with notable incidents, from nearly winning the Formula 3000 championship in 1988, only to suffer a severe leg injury at Brands Hatch on the same day he signed a Formula 1 contract with Benetton. He recovered swiftly and managed a surprise fourth-place finish at his Formula 1 debut in Brazil, behind Alain Prost. In 1999, he joined Stewart and achieved the team's first (and his last) victory at the European Grand Prix in Nürburgring. Herbert concluded his Formula 1 career in 2000 as a Jaguar driver.
"Death threats poured in through social media,"
A report by Vezess highlights that among the stewards working during the Melbourne weekend was Johnny Herbert, whose relationship with Alonso has been less than amicable. This became fertile ground for the most fervent fans of the two-time world champion to target Herbert, a three-time grand prix winner, with death threats.
“The backlash from the Melbourne race was horrendous. I was inundated with death threats on social media. I'm fortunate that I can handle them, but I find it pathetic that I was singled out,” expressed the former racer, who has been active as a TV analyst in recent years.
Herbert believes that it is this very role as a TV analyst that sparked the controversy. His relationship with Alonso has indeed been tense, especially after a live broadcast incident. At a time when Alonso was racing with the less competitive McLaren, Herbert, as an analyst, once suggested that the Spaniard should consider leaving. Alonso became aware of this and took the opportunity to rebuke Herbert live on air. “You became a commentator because you didn’t become a world champion,” Alonso retorted during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in 2016.
Herbert’s own career has been filled with notable incidents, from nearly winning the Formula 3000 championship in 1988, only to suffer a severe leg injury at Brands Hatch on the same day he signed a Formula 1 contract with Benetton. He recovered swiftly and managed a surprise fourth-place finish at his Formula 1 debut in Brazil, behind Alain Prost. In 1999, he joined Stewart and achieved the team's first (and his last) victory at the European Grand Prix in Nürburgring. Herbert concluded his Formula 1 career in 2000 as a Jaguar driver.
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