Speaking to Flashscore, Herbert spoke about the Australian driver whilst also remarking on the changing face of punditry within the sport as social media plays an ever-bigger part in the discourse.
Herbert's compatriot Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 Drivers' Champion, is a colleague on Sky Sports and has announced his decision to step away from the role after the end of the 2024 season.
Online abuse over his comments about Max Verstappen has attributed to his departure, says Herbert.
He explained: "He was very unhappy at the crazy level of abuse he got over his Max comments. Damon has a son with Down’s Syndrome and he does a lot of work for the Halow Project. A lot of the hate I was getting (for my criticism of Max’s driving) came through social media channels linked to the charity. That was ridiculous."
“He has been saying ever since he started in 2012 that he wondered why he was doing this (the punditry). Every year he said he wasn’t sure whether he would do it again. And every year for the next 12 he came back! I don’t know whether it was his decision or Sky’s, to be honest.
“Was it an enjoyment factor? Potentially. I know he got criticism for the Max scenarios and maybe he felt: ‘You know what, I don’t need that.’ There is change going on. If he was pushed, then you wonder what could happen to Martin Brundle and David Croft."
Sky, like many companies around the world, have made changes to 'modernise' their team at races - a decision that has come under fire from a minority of their viewers.
For Herbert, diversifying the lineup is no bad thing.
He remarked: “There is always a time when refreshing a team will come into play. Knowledge is very important. You have Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion. Why would you not want him part of it because of the knowledge he has gained through the good and bad times?
"I only won three Grand Prix but my knowledge and experience of really dark times when I had my accident and the best of times when I finished fourth in the driver’s championship, helped me.
“There has been a shift and there are a lot more women in the paddock which is a good thing. But experience pays dividends for the fans who are watching.”
One of those who has faced increasing scrutiny is former professional racing driver Danica Patrick, who Herbert believes deserves her spot as part of the commentary team.
Speaking about Patrick, who raced in both NASCAR and IndyCar, Herbert said: “It is easy for people to criticise anybody. People might say because she has not been in an F1 car, what does she know?
“There are others at Sky working with her who have never been in an F1 car or driven a high-powered car, as she did when she raced in Indycar. She is better qualified than most. Her pedigree is there.
“The fundamentals of driving a car, whether it be an Indycar, an F1 car or a Le Mans car are pretty much the same. The racing mindset is the same, and the calculations in overtaking moves are the same. The only difference is that F1 is the fastest car on earth. Without experiencing that, you don’t know what they’re like.
“But the people commenting on Danica have probably never even raced in a kart! She is very well respected because of what she has achieved and as someone who has a wealth of experience. There are a hell of a lot of people in F1 punditry who have never been in an F1 car. She is very well qualified to talk about the sport. She has a very good idea of what it takes from a driver’s perspective, to battle against the very best because she has done it.”
With new faces being added to broadcasting teams every year, media outlets are always looking for the next big name to take their coverage to the next level.
Of the current crop of newly-released or retired drivers, Ricciardo is a name that many think would be a great addition to the sport's broadcasting.
The former race winner lost his seat during the 2024 season at Visa Cash App Red Bull (VCARB) to Liam Lawson and he has been unable to find a drive for the next campaign.
For Herbert, who was part of Sky Sports' lineup from 2012 to 2022 believes the Australian would be a "good addition."
He explained: "He has the experience, the smiley face, is telegenic and is very popular. He has a nice demeanour and a very good way of sharing the experience that he has had.
"He has had good and bad times too. All those experiences are what people want to hear about. Daniel would be a good addition.”