Todt: Verstappen could work with stewards to experience 'the other side'

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FIA president Jean Todt has suggested that Max Verstappen's future 'public service' assignment could see the Red Bull driver act as a one-time steward in another category of motorsport to help him experience "the other side".

As a result of Verstappen's post-race clash with Esteban Ocon in Brazil, when a heated discussion between the pair led to the Dutchman shoving the Force India driver several times, the former was handed a yet-to-be-decided public service task by the FIA as punishment for his behavior.

In an interview with Sky F1, Todt addressed the issue and suggested what could be in store for Verstappen in the future in terms of his mandatory community work duty.

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"When you have these kinds of exposures, this kind of fame, it gives you also responsibilities," Todt said;

"So it means that whatever your emotions you must be able to control them. And to respect your supporters, to respect your word.

"If not you have some consequences. But I will say the consequences finally are quite small. Rightly so.

"What'll it be? Honestly nothing has been decided," he added.

"But clearly it has to be something that will be supportive to the Formula 1 world, supportive to the racing world.

"Maybe a contribution to work closer with some stewards or some officials during some training, during some education groups. We have different things which are going to happen next year.

"Maybe participate in a group panel of stewards in another category of motorsport to put yourself in the other side and understand that it's not always easy.

"But I'm sure we'll find some constructive programmes."

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Whatever his 'public service' will be, Verstappen insisted after Abu Dhabi that he wouldn't accept anything that would make him "look like an idiot".

"I'm definitely not going to look silly," he said.

"I think anyway I'm already very hard-treated by that, so we'll find something suitable, because I'm not going to look like an idiot.

"We'll discuss, between the team and the FIA, what we're going to do. If I agree [with the punishment], it doesn't really matter, does it? What can you do about it?

"I find it a bit harsh but yeah... we'll find a solution."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.