Leclerc not in the clear over swearing as Verstappen claims he went unpunished · RaceFans

The FIA stewards are considering how to respond to Charles Leclerc’s profane language during the post-race press conference at the Mexican Grand Prix, RaceFans understands.

Max Verstappen was ordered to perform an act of “public work” after saying his car was “fucked” during an official pre-race press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Leclerc also swore during the post-race press conference in Mexico last week. Describing a moment in the race when he came close to crashing, Leclerc said: “I had one oversteer and then when I recovered from that oversteer, I had an oversteer from the other side and then I was like, ‘fuck’.”

Realising his mistake Leclerc said: “Oh, sorry! Oh, no, I don’t want to join Max…”

Verstappen drew attention to the lack of an immediate response by the FIA to Leclerc’s remarks yesterday.

“Apparently it only counts for me,” he said, “because after the race in Mexico, someone was swearing. I didn’t hear anything from it. So, it’s better I don’t swear again.”

RaceFans understands Leclerc’s comments have been referred to the stewards and a response is expected this weekend. The fact Leclerc immediately apologised for swearing, and spoke to the FIA’s media delegate Cameron Kelleher immediately afterwards, is likely to be taken in mitigation.

Verstappen is yet to carry out the punishment he was given in September. He called his penalty “ridiculous” at the time and began limiting his comments in official FIA press conferences in protest.

Drivers have received more severe penalties for offensive language. Yuki Tsunoda was fined €40,000 (£33,900) for using an ableist slur on his radio during the Austrian Grand Prix. Half of the fine was suspended until the end of the season “on condition that no infringement of a similar nature occurs.”

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