Max Verstappen has been ordered to perform ‘work of public interest’ by F1 authorities after swearing during a televised press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Dutch driver described his Red Bull car from the previous race in Azerbaijan as ‘f*****d’ during the official FIA media call.
The FIA, Formula One’s governing body, deemed Verstappen’s language ‘coarse’ and ‘rude’.
This incident follows recent comments by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who expressed his desire for F1 stars to refrain from swearing over the radio.
Max Verstappen has been ordered to perform ‘work of public interest’ by F1 authorities after swearing during a televised press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix
REUTERS
Verstappen, 26, was summoned to the stewards at 19:00 local time (12pm BST) in Singapore. The FIA swiftly released its verdict, stating that the driver’s language was ‘not considered suitable for broadcast’ and constituted ‘misconduct’ under the International Sporting Code.
The FIA’s statement emphasised their policy on language use in public forums, particularly for participants in world championships who serve as role models.
Verstappen explained that the word he used is common in speech as he learned it, with English not being his native language.
The stewards acknowledged this but stressed the importance of mindfulness when speaking publicly.
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They noted that while significant fines have been levied for language offensive to specific groups in the past, this case was different.
Considering the topic had been raised before, the stewards decided on a more substantial penalty. Verstappen was ordered to ‘accomplish some work of public interest’ in coordination with the FIA’s Secretary General for Sport.
The Dutch driver apologised for his behaviour.
The controversy surrounding language in Formula One goes beyond Verstappen’s incident.
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In an interview with Autosport prior to the press conference, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem drew criticism for comparing drivers to rappers.”We’re not rappers, you know,” Ben Sulayem said. “They say the f-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are (us).”
Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, responded to Ben Sulayem’s remarks, stating: “With what he said, I don’t like how he has expressed it. Saying ‘rappers’, is very stereotypical.”
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Hamilton added: “If you think about it, most rappers are black, so, it says ‘we are not like them’. So I think those are the wrong choice of words and there is a racial element there.”
The penalty imposed on Verstappen highlights the growing scrutiny of language use in Formula One. This incident may prompt drivers to exercise more caution during press conferences and public appearances.
The FIA’s stance on appropriate language reflects a broader trend in professional sports to maintain a family-friendly image. However, it also raises questions about authenticity and the balance between spontaneity and polished public personas.
As Formula One continues to expand its global audience, the management of drivers’ public image becomes increasingly complex. The incident may lead to discussions within teams about media training and cultural sensitivity as they look to avoid their own drivers being penalised going forward.
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