Former FIA steward and Formula 1 analyst Johnny Herbert ignited strong reactions after he stated that Lance Stroll is currently performing better than teammate Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin as the 2025 season approaches. This claim, presented during a recent interview, quickly drew criticism from fans who questioned Herbert’s judgment and impartiality.
In an interview with Motor ES, Herbert was asked to compare the two Aston Martin drivers. Surprisingly, he chose Stroll over Alonso, justifying his view by pointing to the current point standings:
“Who’s doing the best job right now?” Well, the man with the most points is Lance.”
Fan Backlash and Criticism of Herbert’s Assessment
Social media users responded strongly after Herbert’s comments gained attention online, many expressing disbelief and anger at the former driver’s stance. Several fans questioned his expertise and accused him of bias against Alonso or lack of understanding of the sport. Reactions included:
“How the hell was this guy ever a steward. 1. Either he is biased against Alonso. 2. Or he is dumber than a bag of rocks and doesn’t understand what he watches. Either way he is a bad steward.”
Another fan wrote, “Can Johnny Herbert spend a day without thinking about Fernando?”
“We get it Herbert, you’re still salty,” wrote a fan.
“Johnny Herbert is and will always be a salty cunt, Nando completely destroyed him all those years ago,” wrote a fan.
“I feel Herbert wants to be cussed out,” another fan wrote.
“This guy is so butt hurt. He must be a nasty person to have in one’s life. Sad person,” another fan wrote.
Current Season Statistics Highlight Stroll’s Slight Advantage
Statistically, Lance Stroll has outperformed Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin this season in terms of points. Following 10 races and two sprint events, Stroll has accumulated 14 points, while Alonso has earned eight points over the same period. This numerical difference reflects the basis of Herbert’s claim but does not capture the full scope of driver skill or experience.
The debate is intensified by Alonso’s extensive career achievements, including two world championships and 32 race wins, compared to Stroll’s ongoing search for his first Formula 1 victory. Fans argue that raw points alone fail to fairly compare the two drivers’ contributions and potential.
Fernando Alonso Reflects on Aston Martin’s Struggles in 2025
During the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso addressed Aston Martin’s challenges this season, indicating the team is not meeting its performance goals. He acknowledged multiple factors behind the car’s lack of pace and competitiveness relative to rivals.
“We are not as competitive as we want to be, we thought we’d be, but I think there is not only one theme. There are a couple of factors that make the car a little bit difficult at the moment, in terms of pace, and maybe not as fast as some of the midfield [teams] that … raised the level and they are closer to the top four, and we didn’t make that step.”
“We need to react, we need to do things better and hopefully in the next few races we have a step forward, but yeah, it has been more difficult than expected,” Fernando Alonso further added.
Aston Martin currently sits eighth in the Constructors’ Championship with 22 points, struggling with both qualifying speed and race pace, which hinders their ability to compete against higher-ranked teams.
Implications for Aston Martin and the 2025 Season Ahead
The dispute between Herbert’s ranking of drivers and fan sentiment underscores ongoing tensions within Formula 1 regarding driver performance and loyalty. Herbert’s remarks have stirred debate about how driver contributions should be assessed beyond simple point tallies, especially when comparing a seasoned champion with a less accomplished teammate.
As Aston Martin attempts to improve its car and results throughout 2025, the internal competition between Stroll and Alonso will remain under close scrutiny. Their performances will likely influence team strategy and driver hierarchies as the season unfolds.