Max Verstappen, who used profanity at a live press conference during the Singapore Grand Prix, has been condemned to the equivalent of community service in Formula One.
The three-time world champion received an excellent reprimand from the stewards, who are eager to crack down on profanity within the FIA.
Verstappen called his Red Bull “f*****” before last week’s Baku qualifying round. This led to the Dutchman being called by officials to account for his remarks that violated the International Sporting Code.
An “obligation to accomplish some work of public interest” was imposed by the stewards. Although the precise nature of the penalty has still to be determined, it might entail some involvement at the sport’s grassroots level.
“The FIA’s policy is to guarantee that language utilised in its public forums, like press conferences, satisfies widely recognised norms for all viewers and broadcasts,” the stewards’ decision stated.
Specifically, this applies to remarks made by World Championship competitors, who serve as role models for both the sport and the general public. The FIA’s regulations make this quite plain, and it has been further supported by cases that have been brought before the stewards in the past, most notably the one in Las Vegas in 2023 (which saw Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff being summoned in for swearing).
Max Verstappen used language to describe his car during the event in Azerbaijan that is typically deemed “coarse, rude” or may “cause offence,” and is not judged fit for transmission. The stewards studied the text of the FIA’s Thursday driver press conference. This violates Article 12.2.1.k and qualifies as “misconduct” within the definition of that term in Art. 20 of the International Sporting Code.
The stewards observed that no individual or group was the target of the language. The driver clarified to the stewards that although English is not his first language, the word used is common in speech as he learnt it.
The stewards acknowledge that this might be the case, but they believe that role models should practise mindfulness when they speak in public, especially when they’re not feeling particularly pressed for time.
“Verstappen expressed regret for his actions.”
The stewards have seen that language that is offensive to or targeted at particular groups has resulted in hefty fines. Here, this isn’t the case. However, because this subject has come up previously and the competitors are aware of it, the stewards decided to impose a harsher punishment than in the past and to require Verstappen to “accomplish some work of public interest” in coordination with the FIA’s secretary general for sport.
The 26-year-old Verstappen may file an appeal.