Johnny Herbert has detailed the “torrent of death threats” he has received on social media in the wake of Fernando Alonso’s penalty at the Australian Grand Prix last month.

Johnny Herbert has described the “torrent of death threats” he got on social media following Fernando Alonso’s punishment at the Australian Grand Prix last month.

Alonso received a 20-second time penalty following the race in Melbourne for his involvement in George Russell’s crash on the last lap.

Herbert, a former F1 driver and ex-Sky F1 pundit, was on the stewarding panel at Albert Park and has now detailed the hatred he experienced online, as well as detailing a prior run-in with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.

“I was a steward at the Melbourne GP and the repercussions were awful,” he told reporters. “I received a barrage of death threats on social media; I’m glad I have broad shoulders. I think it’s pathetic that I was the one thrown under the bus.

“It dates back to Bahrain two years ago. When he was with McLaren, Alonso was on the radio virtually every race, slamming the engine, claiming it was like a GP2 engine. He was really vocal. I was working for Sky and told Alonso that if he didn’t like it, he could leave the squad. I did not say retire.

“Then he approached me live on air in Bahrain and mocked me, claiming that he was a world champion and would not retire to become a commentator since you were not. Following Australia, the supporters exploited it as a weapon against me.

“There were messages with dagger emojis at the bottom of the screen, stating that they knew where you lived and would come for you. The majority of them were Spanish. They should have understood because the statement outlining the decision-making process was so explicit.

“People were also saying because I had never been a world champion I was not qualified to have a say in it.”

Herbert also stated, in an interview with Fastest Payout Online Casino, that social media corporations should “take action” against those who attack sports officials online.

“It has not discouraged me from stewarding,” the 59-year-old remarked. “It is all part of it, sadly. In Melbourne, I was the drivers’ steward, so when it comes to driving stewards, he takes the brunt of the criticism. I accept it. This is not an issue.

“The threats continued for two weeks and are still coming. It is part of the social media environment where everyone has an opinion but lacks the facts to back it up. It happens far too often these days. Athletes and officials in various sports receive death threats. Many people suffer significantly as a result of this. Filth and abuse occur in all spheres of life, even among ordinary people.

“Those platforms should sit on top of it. But they’re not. They allow this to happen. I do not understand why. They should act. But they claim they can’t discover a method to stop it. I don’t believe it.

“I can laugh about it.” We are fortunate that it does not effect us. However, it does significant harm to a large number of people. When it occurs, action should be taken. Something needs to be done about it. However, I never hear anything being done.

“I don’t understand the mentality of those who make comments about knowing where I live, wielding daggers, and threatening to harm me. They are not true F1 fans, and I am sure Fernando would be mortified if he knew what his fans were doing.