Mike Salo anticipates that he will be the next former Formula 1 driver, following Johnny Herbert, who will no longer be able to combine his journalistic duties with his role as an FIA steward. “It’s unlikely that I’ll remain a steward in 2025,” he says.
Mike Salo has been a stalwart for the motorsport federation since 2012 and also works as an analyst for Viaplay in Scandinavia. Speaking to the Finnish media outlet Iltalehti, Salo explains that he doesn’t see himself continuing to work as a steward for the FIA, partly due to his involvement in various other projects.
“I can’t say for certain, but it’s unlikely that I’ll still be a steward in 2025,” he begins. “I simply don’t have the time. Other commitments are overlapping with my schedule. Moreover, minor conflicts of interest can arise when you’re involved in other work related to the same sport. I’d rather do nothing at all than risk upsetting someone over what I do.”
Perceived Bias
Last month, Johnny Herbert was thanked by the FIA for his services. His roles as an FIA steward and media analyst were deemed ‘incompatible’. In 2024, Herbert was repeatedly in the spotlight due to his comments in the media. He is known for his outspokenness and repeatedly expressed strong criticism of Max Verstappen, which led him to feel compelled to explain the double time penalty for the Dutchman during the Grand Prix of Mexico. “He criticized Max Verstappen and a few other drivers quite openly, so the FIA felt he was biased,” notes Salo, who is less outspoken himself.
If Salo were to be dismissed, he would be the second former Formula 1 driver to leave the FIA steward role in a short period, following Herbert. The FIA itself also received considerable criticism. Among others, George Russell, Zak Brown, and Jos Verstappen called for more consistency and professionalism among the stewards.
