Mika Salo not coming back as FIA steward: 'I'd rather not do it'

Mika Salo does not expect to return as a steward in Formula 1 in 2025. Indeed, the Finn is also active as an analyst (for Viaplay in Scandinavia) and suspects that the motorsport federation will therefore no longer invite him to act as a race official. Ultimately Johnny Herbert was recently shown the door by the FIA as a steward because he is also active in the media.

Speaking to Finnish medium Iltalehti, Salo explained that he does not see himself working for the FIA as a steward anymore, partly because he is busy with various other projects.

"I am not saying it is certain, but I will probably not act as a steward," Salo told the Finnish medium. "I didn't have time. Other things overlapped with my schedule. There were also small conflicts of interest with other work within the industry.Then it is difficult to be a steward. I would rather not do it at all than risk someone getting angry about what I do."

Herbert was known as someone who regularly made strong criticisms as an analyst, even regarding Max Verstappen. Salo explains that he is in a different boat than the Briton, as he is less outspoken in his statements. "He openly criticised Max Verstappen and a few other drivers, so the FIA considered that he was not an impartial steward," the Finn concluded.