After qualifying, Max Verstappen responded to his punishment for cursing yesterday by only providing brief statements to the FIA press conference.
The world champion was given an order by the stewards to do “some work of public interest” after using foul language at the official press conference on Thursday in Singapore.
One of the people who defended Verstappen was Lewis Hamilton, his opponent for the 2021 title. Verstappen was instructed by Hamilton to disregard the punishment.
During the news conference today, Hamilton stated, “I think it’s a bit of a joke, to be honest.” This is the highest point in the sport. Errors occur.
“I hope Max doesn’t do it, and I certainly wouldn’t be doing it.”
At the formal FIA news conference, Verstappen sat with Hamilton and pole-winner Lando Norris and refused to answer any questions other than in the shortest, most superficial of ways. He did, however, talk with reporters thereafter.
“To be penalized for that is just absurd,” he said on Sky. “In my opinion, it’s quite obvious when you offend someone with these kinds of things. I didn’t even aim it at a person. It seems like a slight slip of the tongue.
He claimed that the rules required the stewards to punish him. “The rules state it,” he remarked. Since the stewards are only subject to a rulebook, this really doesn’t even apply to them.
“We really had a really nice conversation about it. They have to follow the rules, even though they are extremely understanding. However, I don’t think it’s the best path for our sport to go.
Before expressing his true thoughts, Norris made fun of Verstappen and said in the press conference room that he “deserved it.” He declared, “It’s pretty unfair.” “I disagree with everything about it.”