Max Verstappen‘s performance in the post-qualifying press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix was one of those moments which might yet come to define the season.
The Formula 1 world champion gave one- or two-word answers to questions posed by the media after he had qualified in second place for the race at the Marina Bay circuit.
It quickly became apparent this was in protest at having been served with a punishment by the FIA for swearing in a Thursday press conference.
Once aware, journalists asked how long he would maintain this stance of not giving full answers, and at one point he told the media in the room to ask him outside.
He held court in the paddock, taking questions where he answered in full and with honesty – once he was out of the FIA-run, and crucially filmed, press conference.
For many, it would be easy to claim it as petulant behaviour. Throwing his toys out of his pram for being issued with community service order after he had said his “car was f*****” live on TV.
Watch: Verstappen stages his own Press Conference in protest of the FIA – F1 Singapore GP Updates
They could also point out that his most recent behaviour defied that of a world champion, as he was now setting an even-worse example for his young fans.
However, it should be argued that this was exactly the performance of how a world champion should act. In fact, it goes beyond F1 and is relevant to all sports stars.
Earlier in the week, I had explained how swearing should not be punished and that raw emotion is part of the fabric of why we love sport so much.
This was another example of that emotion. Verstappen feels aggrieved and he is displaying it – there is nothing wrong with that.
It was also smart and not childish. Crucially, Verstappen was able to identify the source of his frustration was the FIA and so he would not perform in its press conference.
He did the minimum requirement by answering questions, albeit with short answers, so as not to trigger any further punishment.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Ben Hunt
The fact he held his own impromptu press conference in the paddock afterwards shows that he has the presence of mind to know that it was not, as is often made out to be the case, the media to blame.
This points to a driver, who throughout his career has been accused of being too aggressive or too brash, that is now coming of age. It was the perfect, controlled response to a ridiculous punishment from the…
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