Johnny talks to his fans online

On Thursday 10th July 1998, Virgin Net organised an online chat session with Johnny. An edited transcript was sent to the Johnny Herbert Website by Toby Mason and Pete & Carole Aisthorpe-Buckley sent the whole log.

Leslie: Good luck for Sunday Johnny. Which of you British boys will do best?

Johnny Herbert: The one who has the most chances.

Bob: But if you had to name one...

Johnny Herbert: David for sure.

James C: Which is the best team at the moment?

Johnny Herbert: McLarens are good.

Owen Morgan: Who has been your favourite team-mate during your career?

Johnny Herbert: My favourite is probably Alex Zanardi.

Ian Macrae: Why?

Johnny Herbert: Because he was a very normal guy and was always a lot of fun.

Doug: And your least favourite?

Johnny Herbert: My worst begins with M...

F1Fan: Johnny, how's the practising going today?

Johnny Herbert: It's not. It's tomorrow!

Pete: Johnny why are the Saubers and everyone else still so far behind the McLarens, with the exception of the Ferraris?

Johnny Herbert: Well it's just the norm. They've been in Formula One a long time, got a good chassis. With Sauber it's more difficult - the engine is controlled by Ferrari, whereas McLaren and Ferrari have control over all engine development.

Natalie: What's the worst accident you've ever had?

Johnny Herbert: The 1988 the crash in Formula 3000 where I broke both my ankles.

Carole: John, what did you do with your old watch at Goodwood and can I have it?

Johnny Herbert: It's now on my wrist, and no you can't!

Aaron: What's the point in driving for a team that you know will never be good enough for you to win the championship? If you were in a Ferrari/McLaren you could really do something.

Johnny Herbert: Well at the time I left Benetton, Sauber was probably the best option. I had to get my confidence back but also with the sponsorship partners that they have I thought that it would be a challenge to bring a new team further up the grid. I think to have a challenge is very important and I still believe it is possible.

Doug: What are your thoughts for the future?

Johnny Herbert: Obviously I have been happy at Sauber for the last couple of years. It would be nice to continue because my relationship with the team is very good and the rivalry with my team-mate Jean is very healthy and this it is good to have this competitiveness within the team. Obviously at the present time I am looking at other options, as I haven't re-signed my contract yet.

Michael: Johnny, is it difficult being a family man with a career like yours?

Johnny Herbert: It is only difficult when you are away so much from the wife and kids. But I think, over time, you work your life around the job.

Steve: Johnny, would you ever go to Indy car racing?

Johnny Herbert: When I was young it was one of the goals I set myself - Indianapolis 500, Le Mans and F1. My heart is still Formula One and I hope that I finish my racing career in Formula One.

Retard: Do you think your personality holds you back in the sport, ie are you too nice to get to the top?

Johnny Herbert: I think in the early years it probably was something that people took the wrong way, but in the last three or four years I have changed the way I present myself to the media, which entails showing that I am as serious as all the others.

Indy: Which is your favourite track?

Johnny Herbert: Spa in Belgium

Stephen GD: Mr Herbert, I am a hypnotherapist. You control the best machines, you are in the peak of health (hopefully), so how do you prepare mentally for a F1 race. Would it benefit you by actually rehearsing a race in your mind through hypnosis?

Johnny Herbert: No it's not like skiing. You need to know it in your head for motor racing because when you do hundreds of laps in qualifying, by the time you actually race you know every bump on the circuit.

Andy B: Do you get people pulling up next to you on traffic lights - pretending they're on the starting grid - and which car do you drive in your own time?

Johnny Herbert: Yes I do, as everybody else does when the light is red - and they always win. I drive a Datsun. [Ed: it's a Skyline not a Primera!]

hidde: What are your plans for next year and is Champ Cars an option for you?

Johnny Herbert: I will still be driving in Formula One, that's for sure. I would only look at Champ Cars if I had no options that would give me a chance at performing well.

Red: Why does Louise Goodman (on ITV) always interview you - is it because you are the only person that will talk to her?

Johnny Herbert: I always seem to have this attraction to the opposite sex...

hidde: Which other drivers do you hang out with during a grand prix weekend?

Johnny Herbert: The guys I would like to hang out with would be Coulthard, Salo and Villeneuve but there just isn't the time. LOL [laughs out loud].

Steve: Do you watch old videos of your old races?

Johnny Herbert: No there is no point because we do so much driving and the cars change every year, so the old races do not help you out very much. But I do like looking at the 60s and 70s racing videos.

Rosemary Ben Chaabane: How tall are you?

Johnny Herbert: I am a very tall 5'5" but I was 6' before my accident. LOL.

Mark Tassker: Is F1 as glamorous as television makes out or is there more behind the scenes?

Johnny Herbert: Yes it is glamorous, but being a driver the only glamour we seem to see is in the back of the truck.

Elle: You know Martin Brundle from racing with him over the years - how do you rate his commentary skills (and did you always have him pegged as a "telly tart"!!!!)

Johnny Herbert: No I did not peg him as a telly tart but I must say I would do now. LOL. But he does a very good job - he is very informative of the ins and outs of Formula One.

pete williamson: Why do you think you have never reached the heights that all the pundits thought you would?

Johnny Herbert: One thing that made my career that much more difficult was my accident in 1988. I lost four years in rehab and lost the chance to join the big teams early in my career. But I'm still a fighter and have not given up on the goals I set.

Colin Porter: In the past you have said Eddie Irvine should not be driving a Formula One car. How do you feel now?

Johnny Herbert: That was four years ago when Eddie was new to Formula One and was making many stupid mistakes. But I must say he has done a good job this year.

Spade: What's the story about you always being found in the loo before a race. Do you get that scared?

Johnny Herbert: No. As with all the drivers, with all the fluid we take on board before the race nature calls. It's not just me, it is all 22. But not together. LOL. LOL.

Spade: Do you agree with FIA rules governing the speed of your cars??

Johnny Herbert: As a driver we always want to go as fast as we possibly can, but there are good reasons why these type of rules have been introduced. Safety is very important to all Formula One drivers and we do not want the problems that we had in Imola in 1993 to happen very often. Mainly the changes to the drivers head protection have been great safety advances.

Doug: Is carting a good way of getting into Formula One?

Johnny Herbert: Karting is with a "K"!

Andy B: Clare and Doug were referring to shopping carts.

Johnny Herbert: Yes I know! I think it is very important to be involved in karting at a young age, as it gives a young driver a head start in the world of motor sport.

Elle: If you had £10 spare and were a betting man - which driver would you put it on for the championship?

Johnny Herbert: At this present time Hakkinen because I still feel the McLaren is the car to beat.

Scooby: Hey wee man, who's gonna win on Sunday?

Johnny Herbert: Johnny of course, Scooby.

hidde: What do you think about refuelling? Should it be banned or not?

Johnny Herbert: I think it adds another element to the racing. Strategy has always been an important part of racing.

Steve: Would you ever drive for Minardi?

Johnny Herbert: No.

Spade: Many drivers seem to like Silverstone... do you and why?

Johnny Herbert: Yes I do because it is a very fast and physically difficult circuit to race.

Steve: Do you really drink Red Bull?

Johnny Herbert: Yes of course - but not while I'm driving!

Red: What are you having for dinner tonight?

Johnny Herbert: Pasta... and chips. LOL.

Carole: Are you playing golf on Monday?

Johnny Herbert: Yes I am, somewhere near London.

Doug: Who is the most gifted driver on the Formula One circuit?

Johnny Herbert: At the present time, Schumacher because he has the team working for him. But there are many others of us who if given the same opportunity could possibly enjoy the same success.

Doug: Do you think the punishment given to Schumacher at end of last season was fair?

Johnny Herbert: I think, as I think everyone thought, he got off lightly.

Mandy: What are your thoughts during pit stops?

Johnny Herbert: Lets get out of here...

Mandy: What, the car or the pits Johnny?

Johnny Herbert: The pits, darlin'!

Ian: Who's going to win the World Cup and will you watch the final?

Johnny Herbert: Brazil, and yes. But only because the Brazilian girls are better than the French.

Nickoteen: Do you get mad and shout at the mechanics when the car breaks down?

Johnny Herbert: Yes I do, but as soon as that has been done I then look forward to the next session.

Steve: Do you have any driving convictions?

Johnny Herbert: At the present time I haven't any outstanding.

Spade: I hear that Damon Hill no longer has a radio back to the pits - he has radar, cause he is so far back. Is this true?

Johnny Herbert: I have heard that they use a pit board with a calendar, which seems to be appropriate.

Andy B: Mandy and Carole would like to send Hugs and Kisses and ask you to wave to them after you win. Thanks for stopping by Johnny.

Johnny Herbert: Thanks very much.

Ian Macrae: Thank you everyone

Thank you to Toby Mason at Virgin Net
This page prepared 21st July 1998