The ongoing saga surrounding Max Verstappen’s punishment for swearing during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, with fans and pundits divided over the need for the penalty. Now, former F1 driver and current FIA steward Johnny Herbert has revealed his role in the decision regarding Verstappen’s penalty and provided clarification on the controversial situation.
Herbert, who was one of the stewards appointed by the FIA in Singapore, defended the decision to penalize the reigning champion. Verstappen received a ‘community service’ punishment for using a swear word during a globally broadcast press conference organized by the FIA before the race weekend.
In an exclusive interview, Herbert explained that the issue of swearing in such public contexts is not only a violation of the FIA Code of Conduct, but also a matter of setting an example for the younger generation of F1 fans . “Press conferences are broadcast around the world. There is more swearing than ever, and a press conference is not the place for that,” Herbert said.
Herbert acknowledged that many drivers and fans viewed the penalty as excessive, particularly given Verstappen’s fiery and outspoken nature. However, he maintained his stance, noting that “most drivers don’t swear” and emphasizing that F1 drivers, as global role models, have a responsibility to maintain professionalism, especially in media contexts.
Verstappen’s reaction was immediate and defiant, engaging in silent protest by giving one-word responses at a subsequent press conference and holding his own impromptu media session in the paddock. Herbert admitted he admired Verstappen’s rebellious side but insisted, “There is a time and a place. »
Herbert also addressed the wider fallout from the incident, including tensions sparked by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s controversial remarks about swearing, where he compared the drivers’ language to that of “rappers “. This comment did not go down well with drivers, particularly Lewis Hamilton, who interpreted it as having racial overtones. Herbert countered this perception, explaining, “There is an FIA code regarding the use of foul language,” and stressed that the comment was not intended as a racial slur but rather as a call for professionalism.
As the F1 community struggles with the implications of this incident, it has sparked debate about the limits of expression in the sport. Many, including Lando Norris and Hamilton, have openly criticized the penalty as an abuse of power by the FIA. Verstappen, meanwhile, continued his protest, with the future of his ‘community service’ penalty still to be determined.
From the FIA’s perspective, Herbert hopes that common sense will prevail in the future, saying, “There has to be an understanding that both parties have to work together. ” He also stressed that drivers, being role models, must be aware of their influence on young fans, saying, “Drivers must understand that they are role models. »
The swearing scandal may have sparked a storm of controversy, but for Herbert and the FIA the decision reflects the sport’s wider responsibility to maintain certain standards of behavior. As Formula 1 continues to evolve, this incident raises important questions about the balance between authenticity and professionalism in the world’s most glamorous motorsport.
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