Verstappen ordered by FIA to perform 'public work' for swearing incident
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
The stewards of the Singapore Grand Prix have mandated that Max Verstappen undertake "some work of public interest" following his use of profanity during an FIA news conference on Thursday.
The three-time world champion was addressing his struggles at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he finished fifth, trailing behind teammate Sergio Pérez.
"As soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f---ed," Verstappen candidly remarked.
Summoned on Friday evening, local time, the stewards determined that Verstappen had breached the FIA's International Sporting Code by employing "language to describe his car at the event in Azerbaijan which is generally considered 'coarse, rude' or may 'cause offense' and is not considered suitable for broadcast."
While specific details about the nature of the "work of public interest" remain unclear, the stewards emphasized that the language used was not directed at any individual or group.
"The stewards noted that the language was not directed at anyone or any group. When summoned to the Stewards the driver explained that the word used is ordinary in speech as he learned it, English not being his native language.
"While the Stewards accept that this may be true, it is important for role models to learn to be mindful when speaking in public forums, in particular when not under any particular pressure. Verstappen apologised for his behaviour," the statement read.
Previously, Yuki Tsunoda faced a penalty for offensive language at the Austrian Grand Prix. The RB driver was fined €40,000 (approximately $44,556), with half suspended until the season's end, after radio audio revealed him saying "these guys are f---ing r-----ed" about rival drivers.
Despite not being broadcast on Formula 1's world feed, the live audio from each driver's radio is accessible via F1 TV.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also received formal warnings for swearing during a news conference at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year.
Explaining the unique nature of Verstappen's penalty, the stewards referenced past cases.
"The stewards note that significant fines have been levied for language offensive to or directed at specific groups. This is not the case here. But, as this topic has been raised before and is well known by the competitors, the stewards determined to order a greater penalty than previously and that Verstappen be 'obliged to accomplish some work of public interest' (Art. 12.4.1.d of the International Sporting Code), in coordination with the Secretary General for Sport of the FIA."
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, speaking on Thursday, stated that the governing body would tighten regulations on the use of profanities by drivers during Formula 1 broadcasts.
"We have to differentiate between our sport -- motorsport -- and rap music," Ben Sulayem told Motorsport.com. "We're not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That's them and we are [us]."
These comments prompted Lewis Hamilton to express concerns, noting that the comparison with "rappers" played to a "stereotype" and included a "racial element."
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