Johnny's online chat on the MSN F1 Forum

Johnny went online on 9th July 1999 from the 1999 British GP for a chat on the MSN F1 Forum. The following transcript of the chat session is reproduced by kind permission of Fiona Vallis who runs the Forum.

Foxy_MSN:
Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Stewart-Ford Formula One driver, Johnny Herbert. Hi Johnny, welcome to cyberspace.

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
thank you very much :0)

Foxy_MSN:
Today's been a busy day for you on the Internet. This morning you did the live launch of the new Stewart-Ford website at www.stewart-ford.com. How did that go?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
it seemed to go Ok - we didn't have any problems logging on. I thought it was very well designed - it was a very nicely set out site. I'm sure it will do well.

Foxy_MSN:
Do you find you are using the Internet more and more?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:

I've got a little Hewlett Packard hand held thingy and I use that to get all my emails when I'm travelling around the world

Foxy_MSN:
I'd like to know what Johnny thinks of the fordracing.net website?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I only saw it briefly this morning - it looks quite informative

Foxy_MSN:
We've had loads of questions from all your fans. So enough from me and we'll concentrate on them.

Foxy_MSN:
Jo whispers to Foxy_MSN:
Does the current lack of overtaking in F1 worry you?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
if we had overtaking it would be very nice. The current formula one cars are too edgy and the GPDA have put some things through which will improve the racing

Foxy_MSN:
Norman asks:
Hi Johnny, is the Stewart-Ford the best car you've driven in F1?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
Because of the rules they are not quite as nice as they should be or could be, but as far as the performance of the car goes it is a competitive car

Foxy_MSN:
Peter Lakey asks:
Of all the GP circuits currently used which do you find the most difficult and why?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I think the most enjoyable is Spa in Belgium. The most difficult I have found is Monaco because the concentration level is so high - you are not allowed to make any mistakes.

Foxy_MSN:
Johnny whispers to Foxy_MSN:
Do you ever get scared?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
No not at all - if you got scared you'd have to stop because you'd be too slow

Foxy_MSN:
Amy Hill asks:
How do you view the car's performance so far this season?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
well it s been very good. It's shocked a lot of people because they didn t expect it. We all worked very hard to keep the development moving forward

Foxy_MSN:
mills whispers to Foxy_MSN:
Who is Johnny's hero?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
The guy that I liked was Gilles Villeneuve

Foxy_MSN:
Ian Burley asks:
Do you like this year's cars? Is it that big a difference over last year's?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
no I don t like them because of the new regulations and the new tyres with the extra grooves - they are just not fun to drive any more. One of the reasons is because you cannot follow a car close enough...

Foxy_MSN:
Justin Gale asks:
When F1 drivers have an accident, does it really hurt or doesn't it affect you like it seems on the TV, is it because the cars are so well designed?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
very much so - that side of it has been so much improved with the side impact next to the drivers head and this makes it much safer for the drivers in any type of high speed impact

Foxy_MSN:
Clare Swaffer asks:
How do you mentally prepare yourself for a race?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I think you go through the normal procedure of that day...7.30 arrive at the track, 8.30 team meeting, 9.30 practice or warm up, then we have to do visits to the Paddock Club for sponsors. 11am we have to do the driver parade, 11.30 back to the truck to discuss tactics then we have an early lunch. From 12 to 1 we have time to relax

Foxy_MSN:
Sophie asks:
Do you think Stewart can challenge Jordan for third spot in the Constructors?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I think Rubens has done a very good job, but we also need to get my car reliable so I can achieve points, which is what we need so we get that 3rd place

Foxy_MSN:
Vicky Simpson asks:
How do you feel you will do in Sundays race? Cheers and good luck at Silverstone !!!

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
without any further problems I don t see why we can't finish in the top six

Foxy_MSN:
Amy Hill asks:
What is your opinion on Damon Hill's retirement so early in the season?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I think its the right time - I don t think he's enjoying it so much and his heart is not really in it. I think it's time to stop, because if you're not enjoying it why carry on and risk yourself? I think his father retired at Silverstone, as well, in 1974 - I think I'm right.

Foxy_MSN:
How would you rate his career overall?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I think its been successful and he's won a world championship and been second a couple of times. He can look back and say "I've had an enjoyable time and come away with the world championship".

Foxy_MSN:
Parky says:
How well do you get on with Louise Goodman? You seem to get on quite well with her.

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
we get on fine - I don't like meeting her because I've been meeting her too often!! I used to meet Jonathan Palmer far too much in the '92 season and I don't want to make it a habit!

Foxy_MSN:
Clare Swaffer asks:
Are you and Damon friends off the race track, even though you are in competition on the track?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
We get on very well. We don t mix much outside the racing because I live in Monaco and he lives in Ireland.

Foxy_MSN:
Zoe Linehan asks:
Is moving back to England a possibility?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
Yes, I probably will do in the next couple of years because my daughter will be old enough then.

Foxy_MSN:
Andrew
What car do you drive at the moment? Are they Ford Cars :o)?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
yes they are all Ford cars I must admit. My favourite at the moment is an absolute beauty - an Aston Martin DB7

Foxy_MSN:
Peter Halbersma asks:
What do you think about the engine manufacturers taking over teams - what that will do for the future for the sport except from the financial aspect? Best of luck for the season.

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I think its a very good thing. I think Ford acquiring Stewart is good. It gives them a lot of possibilities of expanding in Formula 1. Ford can use F1 for global reach - so they can use it all around the world. We are doing the best we can by using this technology in our road-going cars. I think it's very good for Formula 1 generally.

Foxy_MSN:
Lynsey Nicklin asks:
Who do you think is going to win the Drivers Championship?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I'll still put my money on Mika. I think McLaren will go well here and then the next couple of races will be stronger for Michael and Ferrari, but then it will get better for Mika. But we'll get in there and disrupt that.

Foxy_MSN:
Zoe Linehan asks:
After your win at the Silverstone Grand Prix in 1995, did you expect the crowd reaction to be so great?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
Yes I think so - definitely. There are a lot of fans here who have been very supportive of all the British drivers. The important thing now is to get some young british blood into Formula 1

Foxy_MSN:
Adam J asks:
Have you ever made an effort to change your image? You are obviously serious inside the car but perception of you in real life is that you are happy even when things are not going well. Have you ever considered playing the game and becoming a miserable, arrogant so and so?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I've tried to change myself - I'm working harder with the team - but without being horribly aggressive. I try and make my point on what should be done - what has to be done. And I pick up on all the problems that we have. But the way I'm seen from the outside is my way of relaxing and taking off the pressure.

Foxy_MSN:
Honey_bex asks:
I went to Silverstone last year, how did it feel to drive in those conditions?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
Its not too bad to drive in those type of conditions. The biggest problem is the visibility is very very bad and at Silverstone you can produce a lot of spray and that can be very hazardous. I think we'll see the use of the pace car that we saw at Magny Cours much more

Foxy_MSN:
No1FaN asks:
will you do the 24hr le mans again?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I like my sleep! I didn't enjoy it and I hope I don t do it again! But you never know. Maybe if Ford bring back the GT40 I could do it :o)

Foxy_MSN:
Who would be your fave driving partner?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I'm very happy with Rubens - he's a very good guy to work with - he'd maybe on the top of my list, or maybe DC - David Coulthard

Foxy_MSN:
Host kim says:
Sophie asks:
Obviously, you need to maintain a strict regime to maintain physical fitness-do you allow yourself to consume alcohol or smoke?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
no - I've never enjoyed smoking, I've never enjoyed alcohol. My advice is don t do it - say no! :o)

Foxy_MSN:
Sophie asks:
Do you think the appointment of Nick Heidfeld to replace Damon would be justified?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
Just give this guy a chance. He's doing well in F3000 and the testing he's doing with McLaren. But if damon does decide to hang up his gloves then I don t see why not

Foxy_MSN:
Sophie asks:
Would you prefer the British Grand Prix to remain at Silverstone or return to Brands?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I don t know the situation or what the track at Brands would be like. Silverstone do a very good job - the track is one of high speed corners and good safety. The only way it could be of benefit would be if Brands had high speed corners as well. High speed corners are important to F1

Foxy_MSN:
johnw asks:
I was at Barcelona this year, and saw a boring GP. I've been to many GP's over the years, and it seems less exciting this year. Why is overtaking so difficult now ? It obviously can be done as Eddie Irvine showed in Canada.

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
The rules have made it quite difficult for us to overtake - difficult for us to follow a car close. Barcelona is like that. Canada you have more possibilities for overtaking. But Canada was a slight exception because of the use of the pace car and for example Eddie Irvine having problems - having to start from the back and so passing many other slower cars

Host kim says:
"cool saxman" asks:
Johnny HOW MUCH do you want to be World Champ?

Host Johnny_Herbert says:
I want to be World Champion as much as I did when I was 10 years old - the desire is still there and I'll do my best endeavours to achieve it

Foxy_MSN:
Well very best of luck Johnny, thanks very much for joining us online - it's been great fun. Lots of luck for Sunday's race and with the rest of the season! It's been a great pleasure talking to you and having you live on the Internet. And a big thanks to all of you for being here. Special thanks to Ford Racing for their support and of course to all of you for being online with MSN.

This chat session was a Ford Racing special on the MSN website
This page prepared 11th July 1999.