Max Verstappen will be obliged to complete “public interest work” as a punishment for using bad language in a press conference at Formula 1‘s Singapore Grand Prix.
The Dutchman used an expletive to describe the balance of his Red Bull RB20 car last weekend in Azerbaijan amid his rare struggle to match team-mate Sergio Perez.
When asked about Perez being quicker than him, Verstappen said: “I don’t know, man. Different set-up. So as soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f***ed.”
Verstappen was called to the FIA stewards, who decided that he will conduct “some work of public interest” having heard from the driver and Red Bull representatives.
Verstappen was deemed to have committed “misconduct” with language considered “course, rude or may cause offence and is not considered suitable for broadcast.”
The stewards accepted that warnings have been used in previous situations, but handed a “greater penalty” as the rules on swearing are “well known by competitors”.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s argument that English is not his native language was acknowledged, but the stewards ruled that “it is important for role models to learn to be mindful when speaking in public forums, in particular when not under any particular pressure,” with the reigning F1 champion going on to “apologise for his behaviour.”
The topic of drivers adopting curse words has become a heightened discussion point in the paddock amid the FIA’s wish to clamp down on bad language being aired.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem revealed that he has submitted a request to Formula One Management (FOM) to moderate what is broadcast to the audience.
Verstappen not the first to be summoned over bad language
The last time that the FIA took a hard stance on foul language came in Las Vegas last November as two team bosses were handed warnings over their chosen words.
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur was incensed when a broken drain cover caused huge damage to Carlos Sainz’s car in the opening practice hour at the venue.
The Frenchman asserted that “this will cost us a fortune. We f****d-up the session for Carlos”, who would wind up having his weekend compromised with a grid drop.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff would also land in hot water with the sport’s governing body regarding his passionate response to Vasseur’s complaints about the incident.
You’re speaking about a f*****g drain cover that’s been undone, that has happened before – that’s nothing, it’s FP1,” Wolff reacted.
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