Johnny Herbert - wasted talent?

[jens]

My memories about Herbert are that he was firstly an unlucky driver often retiring front point-scoring positions, although this was made up by 3 wins, all which involved luck-factor. Secondly he looked like a consistent and reliable driver, although on most occasions lacked of pace and usually got beaten by his team-mates of strong caliber (like Irvine, Barrichello, Alesi, Frentzen, not even mentioning MS) over a full season. His finest seasons were probably those, where Johnny wasn't in a shadow of his team-mate (93, 97). We may discuss what could have been without that nasty 88 Brands Hatch accident, but... alas in the end those discussions don't change anything...

[futuretiger9]

He quickly went from being the hottest new talent (early 1989), to being a solid reliable team-man. However, Johnny accepted his predicament with his customary good humour.

Herbert did suffer more than his fair share of ill-fortune. Perhaps the most frustrating setback was Monza '94, when he qualified very strongly, only to be sidelined at the start by a crash which was not of his making.

[wedge]

Did Alan Henry really say that? He is more stupid than I thought he was then.

Seems like it'll be his turn to run round a race track naked!

[futuretiger9]

There was an excellent interview with Johnny in a recent issue of MotorSport magazine. It illustrated just what trials and tribulations he went through during his career. Thankfully, he has not lost that impish sense of humour!

[wedge]

That was a frank and revealing interview. Quicker than Piquet at one point probably shows what might've been

Then again he said previously before the accident he was shy, inward and a bit arrogant and used an outward humorous personality to hide the awful pain. Judging by the former I wonder whether he really would've been the next Senna (I was too young to follow F3).....

[futuretiger9]

That was a frank and revealing interview. Quicker than Piquet at one point probably shows what might've been

Then again he said previously before the accident he was shy, inward and a bit arrogant and used an outward humorous personality to hide the awful pain. Judging by the former I wonder whether he really would've been the next Senna (I was too young to follow F3).....

#

Yes, the relevation that he "changed" his personality after the accident was new to me. I only really started following his career in the aftermath of the crash.