Max Verstappen has been instructed by the FIA "accomplish some work of public interest" after using inappropriate language during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The reigning world champion made the controversial remarks on Thursday when questioned about why his teammate, Sergio Perez, was faster than him during the previous race in Azerbaijan.
Responding to the question, Verstappen said, "I don't know, man. Different set-up. So as soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f***ed."
The Red Bull driver’s use of the F-word did not go unnoticed by the FIA, and Verstappen was subsequently summoned to meet with the stewards along with team representatives from Red Bull Racing.
The stewards deemed that Verstappen’s language constituted "misconduct" because it was considered "coarse, rude, or may cause offence" and was not deemed suitable for broadcast.
Despite acknowledging that similar instances have been met with warnings in the past, the stewards opted for a harsher penalty, citing that the regulations regarding swearing are "well known by competitors."
Verstappen’s – somewhat disingenuous – defense that English is not his first language was taken into consideration, but the stewards emphasized the importance of role models being mindful of their speech in public settings, particularly when they are not under any immediate pressure.
The reigning F1 champion ultimately apologized for his behavior.
The issue of foul language among drivers has been a growing topic of concern in the paddock, with the FIA keen to curb the use of inappropriate words in public forums and out on track on team radios.
This week, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem disclosed that the governing body had requested that Formula One Management (FOM) take steps to moderate what is broadcast to audiences, reflecting the governing body’s broader effort to maintain professionalism during official events.
The FIA has a history of addressing such matters strictly. Last year, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Ferrari's Fred Vasseur received formal warnings for their choice of words during a heated press conference at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
This precedent may have influenced the stewards' decision to impose a "greater penalty" on Verstappen.
Whether this incident will deter other drivers from using colorful language in the future remains to be seen, but the FIA’s stance on maintaining decorum is clear.
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