Jos Verstappen slams FIA over Max’s ‘ridiculous’ punishment

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Jos Verstappen has heavily criticized the FIA for his stance on swearing and his decision to punish his son, Max Verstappen, for using the F-word in a press conference in Singapore.

The incident, which occurred ahead of the race at Marina Bay, saw the three-time world champion use the word to describe his car after a challenging race in Azerbaijan.

However, the discourse contravened the FIA's fresh policy on swearing as announced by the governing body's president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, in the days that preceded the Singapore Grand Prix.

Verstappen was sanctioned with a day of community work for the benefit of the FIA, which left the Red Bull driver both frustrated and surprised.

Read also: GPDA working on unified response to FIA swearing clampdown

The Dutchman went as far as to suggest that the way the governing body is policing the sport could encourage him to have his retirement from Formula 1, as the stress and added pressure of dealing with such unnecessary disciplinary actions were making the sport less enjoyable.

Jos Verstappen shared his son's frustrations, calling the FIA's action a “ridiculous” overreaction.

"I think that is the most ridiculous thing,” he told Autosport, speaking at the East Belgian rally. “But we also see it in rally,” he added, referring to a similar incident in the World Rally Championship, when Sebastien Ogier received a suspended €30,000 fine for criticizing officials.

Jos, although careful with his own words, expressed his growing disappointment in the FIA's governance.

"I don't think the FIA is doing a very good job," he remarked, emphasizing that such penalties are not limited to Formula 1 but reflect broader issues across motorsport.

Jos' criticism underscores the tension between drivers and the sport's governing bodies, raising questions about the balance between professionalism and personal expression in high-pressure environments like F1.

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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.