The Dutchman was sanctioned by the stewards on Friday after uttering a vulgar word at a press conference on Thursday.
Three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) was sanctioned by the stewards on Friday after using a vulgar word during the press conference before the Singapore Grand Prix on Thursday.
While the FIA usually imposes fines in such cases, this time it sentenced the Dutchman to “carry out community service” under his supervision, without specifying its nature.
Also readF1: Leclerc fastest in first free practice session of Singapore GP
Asked why his Mexican team-mate Sergio Perez was quicker than him last weekend in Azerbaijan, Verstappen replied: “I don’t know, different setup. As soon as I started qualifying I knew the car was fucked”.
The commissioners clarified that they had imposed this sanction because this subject had already been raised several times and fines had been imposed but that this time they wanted to go further.
Also readFormula 1: Hamilton considers FIA president’s speech on drivers who “speak like rappers” “racial”
This decision is probably not unrelated to the request of the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, to put an end to the vulgarities broadcast live on television.
In an interview with the specialist website www.motorsport.com broadcast on Thursday, the head of the F1 governing body had called for a reduction in vulgarity.
“We have to differentiate between our sport, motorsport, and rap. We are not rappers. They say the F-word[fuck, editor’s note]how many times a minute? We don’t do that. They are who they are and we are [qui nous sommes]»Ben Sulayem said.
