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Verstappen given community service for swearing
Max Verstappen has been given “an obligation to accomplish some work of public interest” for swearing during an FIA press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The championship leader was asked about where the difference to Sergio Perez was at the last race in Baku, and replied “as soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f***ed”. That comment led to him being summoned to the stewards for misconduct as defined by the FIA’s International Sporting Code.
“When summoned to the stewards the driver explained that the word used is ordinary in speech as he learned it, English not being his native language. While the stewards accept that this may be true, it is important for role models to learn to be mindful when speaking in public forums, in particular when not under any particular pressure. Verstappen apologized for his behavior.
“The stewards note that significant fines have been levied for language offensive to or directed at specific groups. This is not the case here. But, as this topic has been raised before and is well known by the competitors, the stewards determined to order a greater penalty than previously and that Verstappen be obliged to accomplish some work of public interest in coordination with the Secretary General for Sport of the FIA.”
Verstappen was also outspoken on a request from the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for drivers to try and avoid swearing whenever they are on team radio, with multiple drivers also stating that the team radios need to be censored more effectively,
The Dutchman has previously had to carry out public service as a result of an altercation with Esteban Ocon in the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, doing so by attending an FIA stewards seminar and a Formula E race in Morocco as an observer to the stewards.
Both Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff were fined for using similar language in an FIA press conference at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year, where Vasseur was angry at severe damage caused to Carlos Sainz’s car, and Wolff frustrated by an interjection during one of his answers.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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