Max Verstappen issued a blunt response to the FIA stewards’ decision to punish him after he was caught swearing during the drivers’ press conference on Thursday.
The three-time world champion was called to see the stewards in Singapore following the first free practice session on Friday, after which the FIA announced that he was in breach of their international sporting code and would be forced to undertake duties similar to community service within F1.
The Red Bull driver was handed what could be the first of many punishments for swearing in Singapore as FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem seeks to crack down on drivers using foul language.
The Emirati supremo told Autosport: “I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music. We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”
But Verstappen appeared to take a dim view of the new strict rules, giving just two words in his post-FP2 interview before walking off in footage that surfaced on social media.
The interviewer for F1 TV said: “Can we also just have a word about this FIA situation today, we’ve got some-“, at which point Verstappen cut her short and replied: “No words” before then walking out of the media pen.
Verstappen’s comments in the press conference came during a discussion surrounding whether swear words should be broadcast: “That will help a lot more than putting bans on drivers. Because for example I couldn’t even say the F-word. I mean it’s not even that bad right? The car was not working, the car is f*****,” he said.
“And then, excuse me for the language but come on, what are we? Five-year-olds, six-year-olds? Even if a five-year-old or six-year-old is watching, they will eventually swear anyway even if their parents won’t or they will not allow it.
“When they grow up they will walk around with their friends and they will be swearing. So you know this is not changing anything.”
The ruling said that while Verstappen’s language was considered to be “coarse, rude” and “may cause offense”, Verstappen’s punishment was minimised as it was not aimed at another driver or team.
The FIA stewards’ statement read: “When summoned to the stewards the driver explained that the word used is ordinary in speech as he learned it, English not being his native language.
“While the stewards accept that this may be true, it is important for role models to learn to be mindful when speaking in public forums, in particular when not under any particular pressure. Verstappen apologised for his behaviour.
“The stewards note that significant fines have been levied for language offensive to or directed at specific groups. This is not the case here.
“But, as this topic has been raised before and is well known by the competitors, the stewards determined to order a greater penalty than previously and that Verstappen be ‘obliged to accomplish some work of public interest’, in coordination with the Secretary General for Sport of the FIA.”
