Thinking of booking a celebrity guest from the motor sporting world? Take a look at MN2S talent Johnny Herbert

Johnny Herbert’s was not a career that started auspiciously; he suffered major injuries after being caught up in a serious crash at the Brands Hatch motor racing circuit which nearly ended his short driving career. After a period of intense rehabilitation he was able to come back from behind and eventually carve out a career all the more impressive for its early setbacks.

The Brit has driven for many of the world’s top teams, including Benetton, Tyrrell, Lotus, Ligier, Sauber, Stewart and Jaguar and has competed in Indycar, Le Mans and British Touring Car Championships as well as the world’s most prestigious class, the Formula One World Championship.

One of the most well respected British racing drivers of all time, Johnny Herbert’s is a career that’s littered with highlights; but we’ve picked out five of his best ever races. Could this grandee of the British motorsports industry be the perfect choice of speaker for your next event? He’s on the books at our top talent agency, so maybe checking out his top achievements will convince you he is!

1989 Brazilian Grand Prix (March 1989)

The 1989 Grand Prix was Herbert’s first entry into the world of Formula One and his first time back on the track following injury. Driving for the Benetton team he finished the race in fourth place; even more impressive when you take into account the fact that he finished just 10.5 seconds behind the race winner, Nigel Mansell.

This was despite his foot injury making it tough for him to press down on the brake pedal, something which adversely affected his lap times in this and in later races in Formula One.

Fuji Long Distance Sports Car Series (July 1991)

This was a race that was notable for Johnny Herbert not because of where he placed in the race, but because of something which occurred off the track. When he spotted a fellow driver in difficulty during the race after suffering a puncture at high speed, Herbert decided to pull over and help, risking his position in the race in order to aid a competitor.

It was a selfless act which ensured Herbert was awarded with the Sportsman award at the Autosport Awards in 1991, for his exceptional show of sportsmanship and humanity.

1995 British Grand Prix (July 1995)

Johnny’s first Formula One win came on home ground in 1995, at which time he was racing for the Benetton Renault team. It was an unexpected victory; he had started in fifth position for the race, but a fortuitous set of circumstances ensured he was first over the line.

The race was initially dominated by a struggle between Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill, but after the two drivers who had started first and second were eliminated from the competition following a collision, Herbert took the chance to move ahead.

For the young racer this must surely have served as quite the confidence boost, and in fact the season went on to be one of his best; not only did he win the Italian Grand Prix later that year, but he finished 4th overall in the Formula One rankings, his best ever performance.

1991 24 hours of Le Mans (June 1991)

In 1991 Johnny Herbert finished the 59th ‘Grand Prix of Endurance’ in first place, driving for the Mazdaspeed team alongside co-drivers Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot. It was one of the biggest wins of the Brit’s driving career and ensured that he would go down in sporting annals.

It is one of the most prestigious races in the world and runs on the Circuit de la Sarthe; a combination of a specialist racing circuit and public roads which are closed for the occasion. In addition to testing the skill of the drivers, the race also tests the mechanics of the car; it must be able to drive for 24 hours continuously without sustaining mechanical damage. The race often involves covering distances of more than 5,000km over the 24 hours of the race, so engineering a car which is both fast and reliable over those distances is no mean feat.

The inimitable Johnny Herbert is available to book through our talent agency, so get in touch if you’d like to hear him speak at your next corporate event or charity do.