Max Verstappen has been ordered to “accomplish some work of public interest” by the FIA stewards for using foul language in a press conference at Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix.
The world champion made his remarks during Thursday’s official media gathering when he was asked about why team-mate Sergio Perez had been quicker than him in Azerbaijan last weekend.
Verstappen responded: “I don’t know, man. Different set-up. So as soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f*****.”
With the issue of drivers swearing having become a huge talking point after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said he wanted F1 to limit the broadcast of foul language on television broadcasts, the governing body has shown little tolerance to what Verstappen said.
A statement issued by the stewards after opening free practice said that Verstappen had been summoned for breaching Article 12.2.1k of the International Sporting Code.
This states it is an offence to issue “any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally on the interest of motorsport and on the values defended by the FIA”.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
The investigation found Verstappen in breach of the regulations, the stewards’ report read: “It is the policy of the FIA to ensure that language used in its public forums, such as press conferences, meets generally accepted standards for all audiences and broadcasts. In particular this is true of statements made by participants in the World Championships and thus being role models both inside and outside the sport.
“This is clear in the regulations of the FIA and has been reinforced through previous cases brought before the Stewards in Formula One, in particular in Las Vegas in 2023.
“The Stewards reviewed the transcript of the FIA Thursday Driver Press Conference in Singapore and Max Verstappen, driver of car 1, used language to describe his car at the Event in Azerbaijan which is generally considered “coarse, rude” or may “cause offense” and is not considered suitable for broadcast.
“This is “Misconduct” as defined in Art 20 of the International Sporting Code, and is a breach of Art 12.2.1.k. The Stewards noted that the language was not directed at anyone or any group.
“When summoned to the Stewards the driver explained that the word used is ordinary in speech…
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