Max Verstappen took a dim view of the FIA’s new rules as the Red Bull star issued a blunt response at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Leaving the drivers’ press conference on Thursday, Max Verstappen received the FIA stewards’ penalty for using the foul language.
The three times world champion was summoned to see the stewards in Singapore after the first free practice on Friday, after which the FIA declared him in violation of the International Sporting Code and would have to perform duties akin to probation in 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 indicate that large monetary penalties have been imposed for use of language which is obscene or directed at the groups. There appears to be no light or darkness here for this is not a case of comparing between day and night.
However, as this issue has been discussed before, and is quite familiar to all the contestants, the stewards decided that the contestant should suffer a more severe penalty than before and that ‘Verstappen be made to perform some community service,’ in compliance with the Secretary General of Sport of the FIA.
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