John Paul Herbert, known as Johnny (Brentwood, 25 June 1964), is a British racing driver, winner of 3 Formula 1 Grand Prix and of 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Mazda in 1991.

Herbert started his career in kart racing and after he moved to Formula Ford, where he obtained significant results even though the car was not so competitive. The winning of Formula Ford Festival in 1985 attracted the attention of Eddie Jordan, who decided to hire him in his Formula 3 Team. In 1987 he won the category title. Moving to Formula 3000 the following year, he won at the debut of his first race. In the meantime many Formula 1 Teams as Williams and Benetton were interested in him because he was described as one of the most promising racing driver. In August of the same year Herbert, who had already signed a contract with Peter Collins for Benetton for 1989 season, broke his legs in a serious accident in Brands Hatch, risking to end his career.

Steering Wheels:

• The hands of British driver Johnny Herbert held this MOMO steering wheel in our collection back in 1989, his debut year in the top tier. The year before in 1988, while still racing Formula 3000, he suffered lower leg injuries in an accident at Brands Hatch. Nevertheless, he made his Formula 1 debut a few months later to the surprise of everyone in the industry: in fact, he drove his vehicle, as well as possible, achieving 5 championship points (Brazilian Grand Prix and US Grand Prix), closing the season in 14th place in the driver standings, despite only competing in 8 of the 16 rounds. A truly amazing result.


• This MOMO steering wheel featured in our collection was also used by Johnny Herbert, a British driver who displayed his fighting and determined spirit right from his debut. 1993 saw his transition from the Tyrrel team to that of Lotus, which he represented during the F1 World Championship. At the wheel of the Lotus 107, a car that combined technology and reliability, Herbert ended the season in 9th place in the driver standings, due to the points won during the Brazilian, European, British and Belgian Grands Prix, three fourth places and a 5th place respectively


• The talented British driver Johnny Herbert was taken on by the Swiss Sauber team in 1996, with whom he would continue racing until 1998, the year of this wheel in our collection. During the Formula 1 World Championship that took place that year, the driver only managed to win one championship point, finishing 6th at the Australian Grand Prix, good enough for 15th place in the driver standings.

(Source: Wikipedia; Formula1.com)