By Alan Baldwin LONDON (Reuters) -McLaren boss Zak Brown called for permanent stewards in Formula One after the governing FIA dropped former racer Johnny Herbert on Wednesday, arguing his work as a media pundit was incompatible with the role.

The former F1 driver was in line to be a steward at the season-opening race in Australia but was criticised by Jos Verstappen last year for his dual role as steward and pundit

Johnny Herbert says he understands why he was axed by the FIA and he will no longer allowed to steward races from this season. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity of being an FIA driver steward and I have thoroughly enjoyed the role I have been involved in over the years," he said.

Formula One's governing body dropped former racer Johnny Herbert as a grand prix steward on Wednesday, saying the Briton's work as a media pundit was incompatible with the role.

Former grand prix driver Johnny Herbert has been dropped from his role as a steward in Formula 1. Governing body the FIA said that Herbert's "duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible".

Former driver-turned-pundit Johnny Herbert will no longer serve as an FIA race steward for Formula 1 races due to the "incompatible" dual roles he was trying to serve.

OPINION: Punishing an unpaid volunteer for taking a paid job is at least an hour late and a few dollars short

The three-time F1 race winner will no longer serve as one of the volunteer officials used to adjudicate racing incidents