F1 Champ Max Verstappen Makes Stand After Penalty for Swearing

• Max Verstappen participated his first mandated press conference on Saturday after being issued a community service order for using a profanity during Thursday’s FIA-organized press conference in Singapore.

• The penalty is all part of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's initiative for drivers to curb their swearing.

• Verstappen set the second-fastest time in qualifying on Saturday in Singapore.

Three-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen made a pointed stand against his penalty for swearing during an FIA press conference, after qualifying in second for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Verstappen set the second-fastest time in qualifying on Saturday, behind McLaren driver and title rival Lando Norris, with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton third.

Verstappen gave a normal interview during the immediate post-session comments, which happen as soon as drivers enter parc ferme, and which is organized by Formula 1 itself. As per post-session protocol drivers who finish inside the top three attend a press conference, organized by the FIA, and Verstappen kept his answers brief and curt.

It comes after he was issued a community service order for using a profanity during Thursday’s FIA-organized press conference in Singapore, following FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem last week expressing a desire for drivers to curb their swearing.

The moderated section of the press conference unfolded as follows:

How sweet does this front row feel?

MV: Yeah, I’m very happy with second today after yesterday. I want to say also a big thank you to the team for continuing to push through the weekend to keep making the car better for me. So yeah. Very happy to be on the front row.

What did you change overnight?

MV: A lot.

Can you elaborate?

MV: No. I might get fined, or get an extra day. So.

Are you confident with the race pace?

MV: Maybe.

How much of a step into the unknown is the race given practice problems?

MV: It’s an unknown. Yep.

Tell us about…

MV: This is not towards you [the moderator], don’t worry. I don’t want to upset you.

Tell us about lining up alongside Lando tomorrow?

MV: We’ll find out tomorrow.

The floor was then opened to questions, and a similar situation unfolded:

Q: How much of the changes were learning about Baku problems? Balance between driver and car breakthrough?

MV: I would prefer if you ask these questions outside the room.

Will you talk to us outside the room?

MV: [gives thumbs up]

What happens if behavior triggers another penalty? More community service?

MV: No comment.

How long do you anticipate you won’t be giving answers in the FIA press conference for?

MV: I’m answering. Just not a lot. Problem with my voice.

Verstappen was backed by Norris and Hamilton, with the McLaren driver calling the penalty “pretty unfair” and that he “doesn’t agree with any of it,” while Hamilton said: “I think it’s a bit of a joke to be honest. This is the pinnacle of the sport. Mistakes are made. I certainly wouldn’t be doing it and I hope Max doesn’t do it.”

Verstappen then made good on his promise outside of the press conference room and expanded on his feelings.

“I find it of course ridiculous what happened, so why should I then give full answers because it is very easy, apparently, that you get a fine or some sort of penalty, so I prefer then not to speak a lot, save my voice, and of course we can do the interviews also somewhere else,” he said.

Verstappen added that the FIA “wants to set a precedent—people got warnings or a little fine and now with me they want to set an even bigger example I guess, which for me is a bit weird of course because I didn’t swear at anyone particularly, I just said one thing about my car and they … It’s in the code, you know?

"They have to follow the book and it’s not the stewards, I don’t want to blame this on the stewards because I actually had a really good chat with them and they need to follow the code, the book. I think they are quite understanding, but it’s difficult for them as well.”

The reigning World Champion also believes he has the support of his 19 rivals.

“Of course some [drivers] speak out a bit more than others, but I think in general it is quite clear what everyone thinks,” he said.