Max Verstappen has been sentenced to Formula One’s equivalent of community service after swearing in a televised press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The FIA are keen to clamp down on expletives, and the triple world champion has been handed an exemplary punishment by the steward.
But his preparations for what could prove to be a crucial race in the Drivers’ Championship title race have already taken a blow.
It was revealed on Friday afternoon that Verstappen would be forced to do “some work of public interest” for using foul language in an interview.
Speaking during a press conference ahead of this weekend’s race, Verstappen described his car as being “f****d” from set-up changes during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The host of the event, Tom Clarkson, quickly reminded Verstappen that swearing wasn’t allowed – a comment that appeared to put a bee in the Dutchman’s bonnet.
The reigning world champion replied: “Excuse me for the language but come on. What are we? Five-year-olds? Six-year-olds?”
It’s a stunt that saw him breach Article 12.2.1.k of the International Sporting Code – language used during the FIA press conference.