The FIA has elected not to punish Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for criticising the Formula 1 race stewards over team radio at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen received a 10-second time penalty for his Lap 1, Turn 1 incident with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the Yas Marina Circuit last Sunday.
Incensed with the severity of the penalty, Verstappen blasted the stewards over team radio to his Race Engineer Gianpiero Lambiasse.
“Can we ask for 20 seconds? Stupid idiots,” the Dutchman said.
Autosport reports that the FIA has decided not to punish the Dutchman for his rant over the team radio, although it has been criticised.
Sky Sports F1’s commentator Martin Brundle took immediate issue with Verstappen’s radio outburst during his coverage of the Abu Dhabi GP.
“You can’t say that about the referees,” Brundle commented. “You can’t say that, that’s just not fair.
“They are applying the regulations. Don’t run into other people, then you won’t get the penalties.”
Verstappen however, was apologetic towards the victim of the incident – Piastri – and made sure to clear the air with his McLaren rival immediately after the conclusion of the race.
“I already apologised to Oscar,” Verstappen told select media including Motorsport Week post-race. “It’s not what you want to happen and especially not with him.
“He’s a great guy. But, it happened and it’s just a bit unfortunate.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner defends Verstappen over Abu Dhabi radio rant
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner fought Verstappen’s corner when asked to give his take on the radio incident.
Horner claimed that the choice to broadcast Verstappen’s Abu Dhabi radio message and similar aggravated messages was “unfair” to the Dutchman and others.
“We hear all drivers rant and rave, you know, we hear team principals rant and rave occasionally as well, that it is a little unfair sometimes,” said Horner.
“I mean, one of the benefits of this is the access that is given.
“You would never find a camera or microphone in a football or a rugby changing room or team room or a team talk.”
Still, Verstappen has escaped this confrontation with F1’s rule-makers unscathed which isn’t always the case.
Following the Abu Dhabi GP, the FIA finally issued the nature of the community service Verstappen must serve as punishment for swearing in a Singapore GP press conference.
“Verstappen will travel to the FIA Awards Ceremony which takes place as part of the General Assemblies next week in Kigali, Rwanda to collect his fourth consecutive FIA Formula One World Championship trophy,” a statement read.
“While in Kigali he will undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC).
“The activity will involve an FIA Affordable Cross Car which was built locally in Rwanda by the RAC from blueprints provided by the FIA.”
READ MORE – FIA reveals Max Verstappen community service punishment
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