Max Verstappen holds talks with F1 stewards at Singapore GP over swearing row

Max Verstappen dubbed the FIA’s decision to punish him for using bad language in a press conference ‘ridiculous’ as F1’s swearing row begins to heat up.

Verstappen qualified second fastest for the Singapore Grand Prix’s Saturday session, but the Dutchman has been the center of attention for other reasons this weekend.

On Friday, prior to the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen was accused of violating Article 12.2.1.k of the International Sporting Code during the FIA press conference and was instructed to complete “some work of public interest”.

It emerged when Verstappen was addressing the media during Wednesday’s press conference before the race this coming weekend, Red Bull’s ace aiming a vulgar word at his car after set-ups had been altered during the Baku event.

The reigning world champion has since hit back at the move though, commenting after qualifying on Saturday: “People got warnings or a little fine, and now with me they want to set an even bigger example I guess, which for me is a bit weird of course because I didn’t swear at anyone particularly. I just said one thing about my car.

It’s in the code, you know? They have to follow the book, and it’s not the stewards. I don’t want to blame this on the stewards because I actually had a really good chat with them, and they need to follow the code, the book. I think they are quite understanding, but it’s difficult for them as well.”

Before doubling down on the claim what he did say ‘wasn’t that bad’. He continued: “I get that if you aim it at someone, that’s bad. Emotions can run high. But it’s still not okay, I understand that. But I felt like it was quite ridiculous what was given to me.”

It comes at a time when F1 chiefs are looking to clamp down on the language drivers are using, not only in pre-race press conferences but also on the track as well.

Before amplifying the allegation of what he failed to do let us revisit what he said was not that bad. He continued: “That is true I understand that if set focus on someone, is not good.” Emotions can run high. However it is still not acceptable I know that. But I felt like it was quite ridiculous of what was given to me.”

It has arrived at a time when F1 chiefs want to rein in the words that drivers are using, including during pre-race media interviews, and on the race track too.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, recently said: I mean, we have to Separate Motorsport – our sport – from rap music. We’re not rappers, you know. That is, how often do they say the F-word: three times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”

The Emirati official continued: “But we are the ones who actually approved more talk about it [on the broadcast]. Vas but the rules, and again the rules are there for the good of the sport and the rules are there to be enforced and to be followed as well.

Champion Lewis Hamilton has said that there was a ‘racial element’ to his comments which have stirred controversy among drivers.

SINGAPORE – Racing gets underway in Singapore at 1.00pm BST.