At the Australian Grand Prix Formula 1, Fernando Alonso crossed the finish line in sixth position, although the stewards penalized him twenty seconds for a maneuver when defending against George Russell, who ended up crashing against the wall. The controversial penalty put the focus on supposedly erratic driving by the Spanish driver, and The fans, who disagreed with the decision, focused on the former driver, commentator and commissioner, Johnny Herbert.
English was one of those responsible for imposing the sanction on a Fernando Alonso with whom he had had his differences in the past. During his time at McLaren Honda, Herbert criticized the Asturian for comments against his own team: “Alonso had been on the radio criticizing the engine almost every race saying that it was like a GP2 engine.”
“There was a lot of talk about it, I worked for Sky Sports F1 and I said that if Alonso didn’t like it he should leave the team, I didn’t say he should retire” Johnny Herbert recalled. “Then he approached me live in Bahrain and He told me that he was a world champion and that he would not retire to become a commentator because I was not a world champion.“.
Weeks after the race in Albert Parkthe British has assured that he received a “torrent of death threatse” on social networks, as he commented in an interview with Fastest Payout Online Casino.
“I was a marshal at the Melbourne Grand Prix and The repercussions were terrible.“. Multiple well-known users in the digital discourse of Formula 1 in Spain ‘trolled’ Herbert with memes or triumphant videos of Alonso, although many went as far as insults or even threats such as “we will find you”, “you will pay” or “don’t take the car this afternoon”.
“The majority were Spanish”, stated the Englishman. “They should have understood because it was very clear how and what decision had been reached in the statement that was issued. People were also saying that, As I had never been world champion, I was not qualified to give an opinion, but it has not discouraged me as a commissioner. Unfortunately, it’s all part of it.”
Herbert clarified that the harassment has not stopped: “The threats lasted two weeks and they continue to come. It is part of the world of social networks, where everyone has an opinion but does not have the facts to back it up.” Of the individuals who have participated in the matter, he has categorized that “they are not true Formula 1 fans, and I’m sure Fernando (Alonso) would be embarrassed if he knew his followers were doing that.“.
