Before the Singapore Grand Prix, Max Verstappen declared that his Red Bull was “to shit” (“fucked”in English), which led to him being sanctioned by the FIA, which imposed community service on him.
Following this, Verstappen showed his disapproval by only responding laconically to questions asked at an official press conference organized by the FIA, notably after qualifying and the race at Marina Bay, preferring to respond more openly to the media during impromptu meetings with journalists.
This sanction hit the three-time World Champion while the FIA, through its president Mohamed Ben Sulayem, had estimated that F1 drivers too often made crude remarks during their radio exchanges with their team. We also remember that, last year, on the occasion of the first Las Vegas Grand Prix, Toto Wolff and Frédéric Vasseur, the directors of the Mercedes and Ferrari teams, respectively, were singled out for using language also considered crude , but were then only the subject of a warning.
Met during a regional rally event in Belgium, in which he participated with his co-driver Renaud Jamoul, Jos Verstappen, former F1 driver and father of Max Verstappen, did not hide his annoyance at the sanction inflicted on his son. “I think it’s the most ridiculous thing ever,” estimates the Dutchman, questioned by Motorsport.com. “But we also see it in rallying,” then mentioning the fine of 30,000 euros imposed on Sébastien Ogier for comments addressed to officials during the Acropolis Rally, in Greece, at the beginning of the month.
Max Verstappen only responded tersely to questions at the FIA press conferences in Singapore.
Photo de: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Images
On his Instagram account, FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem posted a statement last summer explaining that the International Sporting Code had been amended after “Recent surveys have shown that there is a direct link between negative comments from drivers and team members and increased hatred directed towards officials on social media.”
“I don’t think the FIA is doing a very good job,” added Jos Verstappen in Belgium. “But I won’t say too much about that!”
Third in the Chilean Rally held this weekend, Ott Tänak was also doubtful about the sanctions imposed on the drivers by the FIA in recent weeks, believing that the drivers were “in the crosshairs” of the governing body.
During the Latvia Rally, the Estonian driver was virulent with the race management, after an inflatable advertising arch fell on the track, the special stage having only been neutralized after several cars had passed. Having declared that the commissioners “must have been having a good meal and drinking good wine”the 2019 World Champion retracted his comments and apologized to the officials.
With Tom Howard
