George Russell‘s crash on the penultimate lap of the Australian GP seemed absurd to multiple fans at first. However, later inspection revealed that the crash happened due to Fernando Alonso in a controversial verdict by stewards. One of those stewards was previous F1 driver Johnny Herbert , who shockingly revealed that he received multiple death threats after penalizing the Spaniard.
Johnny Herbert and Fernando Alonso are known for their feud-filled relationship in the past. The Brit had advised Alonso to leave McLaren when he used to scrutinize Honda engines. This led to the Spaniard coming back at Herbert and claiming that he does not envision a future as a commentator like him. Subsequently, fans built connections between the two incidents for the penalty in Australia.
However, the 59-year-old declined such claims and revealed the extent of repercussions he faced after the race.
I was a marshal at the Melbourne GP and the repercussions were terrible. I received a barrage of death threats through social media. I'm lucky to have broad shoulders. I find it pathetic that they threw me under the bus... The majority were Spanish. They should have understood it because it was very clear how and what decision had been reached in the statement that was issued. People also said that, since he had never been a world champion, he was not qualified to give an opinion. Johnny Herbet said in an interview with Crash.net
The former F1 driver revealed that the consequences of his decision lasted for around two weeks as multiple fans commented or messaged him with dagger emojis, and shared death threats to the Brit. Moreover, he stated that the majority were Spanish and looked down upon him as he had never been a world champion and disgraced his decision.
Jonny Herbert feels Fernando Alonso would be embarrassed if he knew what his fans did
Herbert claimed that he was not much affected by such messages. However, the daggers and comments about where he lived may have turned into reality and posed a real danger to the Englishman’s security. Subsequently, Herbert lamented the attitude of such people and how they go about their daily lives.
Furthermore, Herbert claimed that Alonso would have been embarrassed to know how his fans had ill-treated him.
The comments about knowing where I lived. The daggers and the threats that they were going to hurt me. I don't understand the mentality of the people who do that. They are not real F1 fans and I am sure Fernando would be embarrassed if he knew that "His fans are doing that. Johnny Herbert said in an interview with Crash.net
Herbert claimed that such people are not real fans. Moreover, such instances are not new in the world of F1 as Nicholas Latifi also received similar threats after he crashed in the title-deciding race in 2021.
Apart from this, the F1 circus would return to the city of Miami next month in May. Moreover, the former three-time race winner has not ruled out stewarding at the race despite receiving such threats. Also, he claims that he is not afraid of such messages and will continue to do his work with the utmost honesty.
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