After the Azerbaijan GP, FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem was not very happy with how the drivers used explicit language. He spoke publicly about it after the Azerbaijan GP. During Thursday’s press conference for the Singapore GP, Max Verstappen used a swear word and the FIA has decided to punish him for it.
On Friday in Singapore, the stewards decided to summon Max Verstappen for using explicit language during the press conference on Thursday. After the hearing, the FIA decided to penalize the Dutch driver by obligating him to “some work of public interest”.
What did Max Verstappen say during the press conference?
During Thursday’s press conference, Max Verstappen was asked about the performance in Baku. To this, he replied:
“As soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f***ed,” Verstappen said while speaking about his tricky Baku weekend.”
The statement from Verstappen was in breach of article 12.2.1.k of the international sporting code. In the past, we have seen other drivers face punishments for using bad language. We have even seen Team Principals receive warnings last year for using improper language.
🚨 | BREAKING: Max Verstappen is oblidged to “accomplish some work of public interest” after swearing in the FIA press conference yesterday.#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/ouqM6ZE9C7
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) September 20, 2024
The stewards said it was FIA policy to “ensure that language used in its public forums, such as press conferences, meets generally accepted standards for all audiences and broadcasts”, particularly with regard to statements made by drivers and team representatives with the consideration that they are “role models both inside and outside the sport”.
While it is true that F1 drivers and team representatives are role models for people all around the world, sometimes, it just cannot be helped. Certain words just slip out at times, especially during on-track sessions as adrenaline runs very high for the drivers.
Lewis Hamilton supports anti-swearing initiative
After the FIA President spoke about how he was not happy about the drivers swearing, Lewis Hamilton was asked about his thoughts on the matter. Although Hamilton did not like Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s choice of words, he did agree with his point.
🚨 | FIA President, Ben Sulayem, recently made a controversial statement regarding drivers swearing on radios:
“We’re not rappers. There is a difference between our sport, motorsport, and rap music.”
Lewis Hamilton comments on the remarks:
“I don’t like how he’s expressed… pic.twitter.com/i1htQXywdJ
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) September 19, 2024
“When I was 22, I didn’t think of it as much and it was more your emotions are just firing and you’re saying whatever comes to mind, forgetting how many people are listening and the kids that are listening, all those kinds of things,” Hamilton said.
So going forward, the FIA could look more closely into the language the drivers and team representatives use during press conferences and other interviews as well. We could even see some fines coming towards the drivers if this becomes a habit.
What do you think about the punishment Max Verstappen received for swearing in the Press Conference? Post your thoughts in the comments section below
