F1 News: Michael Schumacher "Favouritism" Revealed By Johnny Herbert In Sergio Perez Comparison
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert opened up about his tenure as Michael Schumacher's teammate and how this experience resonates with the challenges Sergio Perez faces alongside Max Verstappen. Herbert's candid reflections bring to light the intricate dynamics within Formula 1 teams, emphasising the psychological hurdles drivers encounter amidst potential internal favouritism.
Key Takeaways:
- Herbert's Benetton Experience: Johnny Herbert shared his experiences at Benetton, where he felt overshadowed by a bias towards Michael Schumacher, despite initial assurances of equality from team manager Flavio Briatore. This scenario mirrors the potential challenges Sergio Perez might be facing with Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing.
- The Effect of Team Favouritism: Herbert highlighted the significant impact that perceived favouritism within a team can have on a driver's performance, suggesting that despite Perez's efforts to overlook it, such dynamics are challenging to ignore and can be detrimental.
- Herbert's Advice to Perez: Stressing the importance of mental strength and focus, Herbert advised Perez to shield himself from external and internal pressures, emphasising the need for consistent performance despite the challenges.
Red Bull Press Image
Johnny Herbert's Formula 1 career, spanned teams like Benetton, Sauber, and Stewart. One of his challenging periods came during his time at Benetton in the early '90s, particularly when he was teammates with seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher. Here, Herbert felt the brunt of internal team dynamics, where he perceived a clear bias towards Schumacher, echoing the sentiments he shared about Perez's situation at Red Bull. Herbert explained:
"In all my negotiations with Benetton, Flavio Briatore told me that Michael Schumacher and I were a team, that we worked together and everyone had access to the same information. It never worked that way because there tends to be favouritism towards the guy that does deliver.
"When that is there, you feel it and when you feel it that is a hard thing to be able to bat away. As much as Sergio says he ignores it, it does affect you. Sergio has got to put himself into a cocoon and deliver every single time with the battering that comes from the media and from within the team on occasion."
This detailed account from Herbert sheds light on the psychological challenges drivers face beyond the racetrack. The internal team favouritism, coupled with the high-pressure environment of Formula 1, demands not only exceptional driving skills but also a strong mental fortitude.
Thank you to Mega Dice for setting up this interview.
