Verstappen to serve FIA community service punishment in Rwanda

Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen is set to serve his FIA community service penalty in Rwanda next week, where the governing body’s annual awards ceremony will be held on Friday, December 13.

The Red Bull driver was ordered to complete the punishment after using unacceptable language during the pre-event press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix last September.

Verstappen's punishment will involve working with young drivers in a grassroots development program organized by the Rwanda Automobile Club. The activity will utilize an FIA Affordable Cross Car, a vehicle built locally in Rwanda from blueprints provided by the FIA.

“The FIA has announced the details of Max Verstappen’s 'work of public interest' duty linked to the stewards’ penalty for the use of unacceptable language during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix drivers' press conference,” said the governing body in a statement released after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“Verstappen will travel to the FIA Awards Ceremony, which takes place as part of the General Assemblies next week in Kigali, Rwanda to collect his fourth consecutive FIA Formula 1 World Championship trophy.

• Read also: Verstappen apologizes to Piastri but slams ‘idiot’ stewards

“While in Kigali he will undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club [RAC].

“The activity will involve an FIA Affordable Cross Car, which was built locally in Rwanda by the RAC from blueprints provided by the FIA.

“Design blueprints for the Level 2 category Affordable Cross Car project have been delivered to the global network of 147 National Sporting Authorities [ASNs].”

The FIA’s Affordable Cross Car initiative aligns with the institution’s ongoing commitment to expanding grassroots motorsport opportunities around the globe.

By working with the RAC and junior competitors, Verstappen’s presence is expected to inspire the next generation of racers in a region with growing motorsport ambitions.

The Affordable Cross Car project is part of a broader FIA strategy to develop accessible motorsport technologies, with blueprints already shared across its network of 147 National Sporting Authorities.

Verstappen’s involvement lends star power to this initiative, bridging elite motorsport with grassroots development.

This is not the first time Verstappen has faced an FIA community service penalty. Following his infamous confrontation with Esteban Ocon at the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, Verstappen was ordered to shadow stewards at the Marrakech Formula E round in early 2019.

He also attended a winter stewards' training seminar in Geneva, providing insight into the operations behind race control and decision-making processes.

While Verstappen’s earlier penalties focused on education within motorsport governance, his upcoming assignment in Kigali takes a different approach, emphasizing outreach and mentorship.

The FIA Awards Ceremony itself represents a significant milestone as it takes place in Rwanda for the first time, showcasing the governing body’s commitment to diversifying its reach.

Alongside Verstappen, championship runner-up Lando Norris and third-placed driver Charles Leclerc will also attend the ceremony, celebrating the achievements of the 2024 season.

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