Johnny Herbert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Herbert
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Herbert in 2016
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| Born |
John Paul Herbert
25 June 1964 Brentwood, Essex, England
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| Spouse(s) |
Rebecca
(m. 1991) |
| Children | 2 |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  British |
| Active years | 1989–2000 |
| Teams | Benetton, Tyrrell, Lotus, Ligier, Sauber, Stewart, Jaguar |
| Entries | 165 (160 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Podiums | 7 |
| Career points | 98 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1989 Brazilian Grand Prix |
| First win | 1995 British Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1999 European Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2000 Malaysian Grand Prix |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Years | 1990–1992, 2001–2004, 2007 |
| Teams | Mazda, Champion, Audi, Bentley, Aston Martin |
| Best finish | 1st (1991) |
| Class wins | 1 (1991) |
John Paul Herbert (born 25 June 1964) is a British former racing driver and TV commentator. He raced in Formula One from 1989 to 2000. During his 12 seasons, Johnny won three Formula One Grand Prix races. He also achieved a big win in endurance racing. He won the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1991 with Mazda. He also won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2002 with Audi.
Johnny Herbert raced for several Formula One teams. These included Benetton, Tyrrell, Lotus, Ligier, Sauber, Stewart, and Jaguar. His best finish in the World Championship was fourth place with Benetton. After he stopped racing, Johnny became a TV commentator for Sky Sports F1. He worked there from 2012 to 2022.
Contents
Johnny Herbert's Racing Journey
Early Career and First Steps in Formula One
In 1985, Johnny Herbert won the Formula Ford Festival. This caught the eye of Eddie Jordan, a well-known racing figure. Together, they won the 1987 British Formula 3 title.
In 1988, Johnny faced a serious accident during a Formula 3000 race. He crashed heavily and suffered severe injuries to his ankles and feet. Doctors worried he might lose his leg, but after many surgeries and physiotherapy, he recovered. However, his injuries affected his ability to run and changed how he drove.
Despite his injuries, Johnny returned to Formula One in 1989. He scored points in his very first race, the 1989 Brazilian Grand Prix. He finished fourth for the Benetton team. This was an amazing start, especially since he was still recovering. His teammate, Alessandro Nannini, finished behind him.
However, Johnny found it hard to keep up his early performance. He struggled to press the brake pedal, which slowed his lap times. Benetton eventually replaced him. Johnny then raced in a Japanese Formula 3000 series. Soon, he got another chance in Formula One with Tyrrell.
From 1990 to 2000, Johnny was a regular in Formula One. He moved to the Lotus team, which was struggling financially. His first points in almost three years came in 1992. He finished sixth in the 1992 South African Grand Prix with an older car. He also did well against his teammate, future World Champion Mika Häkkinen. Johnny out-qualified Mika 14 times when they were teammates.
The 1993 season was his best with Lotus, finishing fourth three times. But 1994 was a tough year for the team due to money problems. Johnny's last race for Lotus was the 1994 Portuguese Grand Prix.
In 1991, Johnny also raced in the Fuji Long Distance Sports Car Series. He co-drove a Mazda 787B. In one race, he stopped his car to help another driver who had a puncture. This act of sportsmanship earned him an award.
Racing with Ligier and Benetton (1994–1995)
After three frustrating years, Johnny joined Ligier and then Benetton in late 1994. He didn't score points that year, but Benetton kept him for 1995. He became teammate to the great Michael Schumacher. Life at Benetton was hard for Johnny. The car was designed for Schumacher's driving style. Also, Schumacher did not allow Johnny to see his car's data.
Despite the challenges, Johnny achieved his first podium finish. He came second in the 1995 Spanish Grand Prix. Benetton scored their first one-two finish since 1990. Then, he won his first Formula One race at the 1995 British Grand Prix. This happened after Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher crashed. He followed this with another win in similar conditions at Monza. He finished fourth in the championship that year.
Sauber, Stewart, and Jaguar (1996–2000)
After leaving Benetton, Johnny raced for the Swiss team Sauber from 1996 to 1998. He earned two podium finishes during this time. One was at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix and the other at the 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix. The 1997 season was his most successful with Sauber.
In 1999, he moved to Stewart Grand Prix. He was often out-qualified by his younger teammate, Rubens Barrichello. However, Johnny scored his third and final Grand Prix win at the rainy 1999 European Grand Prix. He also finished fourth at the 1999 Malaysian Grand Prix. He later said this was one of his strongest races since his accident.
Johnny stayed with Stewart when Ford bought the team and renamed it Jaguar. The 2000 season was tough, and he didn't score any points. His last race was in Malaysia, where he crashed heavily due to a suspension failure.
Life After Formula One
After leaving Formula One, Johnny focused on sports car racing. He aimed to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans again, which he had won in 1991. He became a top driver in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). He won several races and was a strong contender for the championship in 2003.
In 2004, Johnny and Jamie Davies won the Le Mans Series championship. They drove an Audi R8 and won races at Monza and Spa. In 2005, Johnny worked as the Sporting Relations Manager for the Jordan Grand Prix team. This team later became Midland F1.
In 2007, Johnny raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans again for Aston Martin. He finished ninth overall and fourth in his class. In 2008, he won the first season of the Speedcar Series.
In 2009, Johnny made his debut in the British Touring Car Championship. He drove a Honda Civic for Team Dynamics at Silverstone. He scored points in one race, finishing eighth. He continued to compete in the final two rounds of the season.
Johnny also organizes a yearly charity event called the Johnny Herbert Karting Challenge. It raises money for charities like the halow project. Celebrities and professional racing drivers compete in indoor go-karting.
Sky Sports F1
From 2012 to 2022, Johnny Herbert was a regular expert on the Sky Sports F1 TV channel. He often appeared in "Sky Race Control" during practices, qualifying, and races. He shared his insights alongside other former drivers like Anthony Davidson and Damon Hill.
GT Academy
In 2013 and 2014, Johnny Herbert helped mentor contestants for a TV show called GT Academy. This show aimed to turn skilled players of the Gran Turismo video games into real racing drivers. The goal was to compete in the Dubai 24 Hour race.
Helmet Design
Johnny Herbert's helmet design was mostly red. It had a white line that went from the back, along the sides, and onto the chin area. There were black stripes on the lower sides and a black stripe at the back. In 1999, when he raced for Stewart, the black stripes on the lower sides changed to green. A Union Jack flag design was also added to the top. In 2000, when he drove for Jaguar, the green areas on his helmet became blue.
Images for kids
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Herbert driving for Tyrrell at the 1989 Belgian Grand Prix.
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Herbert driving for Lotus at the 1994 British Grand Prix. He finished eleventh.
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Herbert was among the drivers who drove this Mazda 787B to victory at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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Herbert moved to Benetton for 1995 and took his first Formula One victory at the 1995 British Grand Prix.
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Herbert driving for Stewart at the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix. He brought the car home in fifth.
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Herbert driving for Audi in the 2004 Petit Le Mans. He came second, partnered with Pierre Kaffer.
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Herbert driving the Team Dynamics Honda Civic at Silverstone during the 2009 British Touring Car Championship season.
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Herbert in the Silverstone pit lane for the 2014 British Grand Prix
See also
In Spanish: Johnny Herbert para niños
