Johnny Herbert and Paul di Resta have been dropped from Sky's F1 broadcasting team.

It was veteran Herbert who first hinted at the news when he tweeted a picture of the Sky team on Wednesday along with the comment: "Going to miss this team".

The British broadcaster subsequently issued a statement confirming that Herbert was no longer part of its team along with the news that Paul di Resta had also been dropped.

"Johnny has been an integral part of our Formula 1 team since the very first season on Sky Sports in 2012," said the statement.

"We will miss his humour and big personality and thank him for his energy and enthusiasm over the last 11 years. Everyone wishes him all the best for the future."

Always ready to tick a box or two, surprisingly Sky admits that neither of the pair will be replaced and will instead continue with the current team of nine, which is frequently augmented by the likes of Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Damon Hill, Karun Chandhok, Danica Patrick and Anthony Davidson.

While di Resta had a Marmite effect on viewers, Herbert was more widely liked, especially for his unscripted, forthright views, even if it meant upsetting the likes of Fernando Alonso.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 01/02/2023 2:31

"@Liam111....it's an act. Trying to whip up a mess of 'faux' excitement is past it's use by date."

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2. Posted by LiamIII, 30/01/2023 16:12

"@ Anthony

Yes,

I don't need someone screaming over the cars to generate false excitement at the start of the race, this hardly needs done now that the cars are nearly silent anyway.

Why the need to yell at the viewers is beyond me. "

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3. Posted by kenji, 30/01/2023 14:17

"If anyone else is to go then surely it has to be Hill. The way he absolutely gushes over Hamilton, Norris and Russell is embarrassing. The Sky broadcast provides an international feed and should have at it's disposal a variety of English speaking commentators from areas where the races are held ....if possible. "

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4. Posted by Chester, 30/01/2023 13:05

"I would choose to ax Ted Kravitz, who is such a UK homer. Biased through and through."

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5. Posted by Cobra Driver, 27/01/2023 15:53

"@Editor

High Praise, indeed. Thank you."

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6. Posted by Editor, 27/01/2023 13:18

"@ Cobra Driver

An early contender for post of the year."

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7. Posted by Cobra Driver, 27/01/2023 13:04

"So we say goodbye to Johnny and Paul. Not suitable for the new, glamorous, high-powered world of Formula One broadcasting. But never fear, we bring you Martin Brundle and his "Brundle's Blunderings", where Martin prowls the pre-grid desperately seeking someone, anyone, to share comments. And that after being humiliated by the interview rejection of a third-rate "entertainment star". Stay tuned for the next chapter titled "Race Calling - Brundle's Biases and Blatherings". And so we turn to Karun Chandhok, now ensconced as a colour commentator, after an illustrious career as an F1 driver (if I recall correctly, it was 11 races). He has experienced an epiphany. Suddenly, now performing behind a TV camera instead of an instrument panel, he clearly sees the perfect line, the proper method of overtaking a competitor, when to brake for that corner. Good grief! I yearn for the reincarnation of Murray Walker. Yes, I am referring to "the good old days" when the guy in the big seat is there because of talent, not bags of cash. When V8's sounded like race engines and not Singer sewing machines, and when race winners benefited by pure driving instinct instead of multiple data streams. Yes, I am an advocate of the good old days......because they were.
"

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8. Posted by ian_w, 27/01/2023 3:38

"And Nico can go too."

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9. Posted by ian_w, 27/01/2023 3:35

"I's baffled me how Sky has got so many talking heads in recent years, alternating them from race to race w/no rhyme/reason.
Old drivers: Johnny, Martin, Damon
New drivers: Paul, Ant, Karun, Jenson
Females: Rach, Nat, plus Naomi (driver but not F1) and where did Rosanna go?
Then there's Craig Slater who never shows his face, plus the irreplaceable Ted Kravitz (so disappointed they no longer broadcast "Ted's Notebook" in Canada

One new, one old driver (plus alternates), two females (BTW: Naomi is an awesome, insightful and neutral addition), Crofty and Ted.
Gotta say, Ant and Karun are so much better at pointing out the in race details.

But the one that HAS TO GO is "Lazy" Lazenby. The broadcast would be so much better w/o him stirring the pot every minute; RB vs MB, Max vs Ham, Max v (everyone), Ferrari vs Ferrari, rookie drivers, Masi, Aargh!! Move him to talk radio!
"

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10. Posted by kenji, 26/01/2023 23:56

"If I was religious [ which I am anything but ] I'd say my prayers have been answered. Axing Herbert was the best news for a very long time. Di Resta was passable but Herbert was a PITA. His jingoism was unbearable.All we need now is to get rid of Hill and the jobs been completed. "

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11. Posted by elsiebc, 26/01/2023 21:56

"Too many white men, some had to go to make room for more diversity hires. Even if you are an active reserve driver with a top team and are the only one of the announcers who can give insight into driving these new spec cars it won't save you. Sorry to see you go, Paul. As for Johnny, while I don't always agree with him he is always entertaining. If he really wanted to return I could see him putting on a dress and ticking more of the inclusivity boxes."

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12. Posted by Tardis40, 26/01/2023 20:45

"I thought they both did a good job. Like to see an announce team with a variety of opinions."

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13. Posted by BillH, 26/01/2023 17:40

"I didn't mind either contributor though I did wonder why Sky have had so many contributors.

Perhaps the wish to show "diversity" has meant more style over substance over the years?

I know there is a lot going on with all the teams, drivers and such as well as the build up, free practise sessions, quali, and that thing at the end... that's right, the race, however over the years the team just kept getting bigger and I'm not sure we the viewer got much more value.

Back in the day there was two commentators and a couple of guests that would fill in now and then and a pit lane reporter.

That should do.

Getting rid of two former drivers that had insight into what the current drivers are doing is a bit of a shame."

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14. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 26/01/2023 15:49

"Paul was a bit of snore-fest, but Johnny was great. Oh well.

Maybe he can still curate F1 content for Sky, but not be a part of the race weekend hosts?"

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15. Posted by Anthony, 26/01/2023 14:52

"What a pity that they haven’t dropped David Croft who is absolutely dreadful. I now turn the sound off for the start ….."

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Sky drops Herbert and di Resta

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