Singapore GP: Verstappen stages protest over ‘ridiculous’ swearing punishment

Max Verstappen staged a one-man protest at the Singapore Grand Prix Saturday against his “ridiculous” punishment for swearing in an earlier session this week.

Verstappen qualified second on the grid for Sunday’s race behind Lando Norris then gave only short answers or said “no comment” to reporters in the official FIA post-qualifying press conference for the top three drivers.

Three-time world champion Verstappen was effectively slapped with Formula One “community service” by the governing body FIA for his use of foul language.

The Red Bull driver must “accomplish some work of public interest”, said a panel of FIA stewards, after using the F-word in Thursday’s drivers’ press conference which was being broadcast live.

Verstappen was deemed to have used language “which is generally considered ‘coarse, rude’ or may ‘cause offence’ and is not considered suitable for broadcast,” read the stewards’ decision.

Dutchman Verstappen said that he was happy to answer journalists’ questions outside, but not in the official FIA media session.

“I find it, of course, ridiculous what happened,” he said of his sanction. “So why should I then give full answers?

“It’s very easy to get a fine, or you get some sort of penalties. So I prefer then not to speak a lot, save my voice.

“I mean, we can do the interviews also somewhere else, if you need some answers to the questions asked.”

‘Pretty unfair’

He later told Sky Sports F1: “It’s just ridiculous to get a penalty for that. When you insult someone, that’s pretty clear. I didn’t even aim it at a person. It’s a bit of a slip of the tongue moment.”

Verstappen received support from both Norris and Lewis Hamilton, who was third in qualifying at the Marina Bay Circuit, during the official press conference.

“I think it’s pretty unfair,” said McLaren’s Norris of the sanction. “I don’t agree with any of it.”

Mercedes driver Hamilton agreed.

“I think it’s a bit of a joke, to be honest,” said the seven-time world champion and he urged Verstappen to ignore the punishment.

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“This is the pinnacle of the sport. Mistakes are made. I certainly won’t be doing it (community service), and I hope Max doesn’t do it.”

Drivers had been asked this week to tone down their use of foul language over team radio during races.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said in an interview that motorsport was not “rap music” and drivers should mind their language, especially as children might be watching.

Leading drivers hit back at Ben Sulayem, saying in the heat of battle emotions run high and their words could be simply edited out of the broadcast.

Hamilton took umbrage at Ben Sulayem’s comparison with rap music.

“I don’t like how he’s expressed it, saying ‘rappers’ is very stereotypical. And most rappers are black,” said Hamilton.

“That was the wrong choice of words. There’s a racial element there.”