Max Verstappen To Do 'Work Of Public Interest' After Being Punished For Swearing During Press Meet
Max Verstappen was summoned by the stewards after he used the f-word during an F1 press conference.
- SportFit
- 4 min read
Formula One is cracking down on drivers for using swear words or rude language while speaking to their teams on the radio or while attending press conferences. Due to this Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen was summoned by the stewards at the Singapore Grand Prix when he was reprimanded for using swear words at a press conference. Max Verstappen had used some swearing language during a press conference after the first practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix which led him to be called by the stewards and the driver has now been punished by the FIA.
According to the decision taken, Verstappen will have to do some work in the public interest as part of his punishment for the swearing.
What The FIA Said About Verstappen
After Verstappen was reprimanded by the FIA, the FIA released a statement regarding what the meeting between Verstappen and the stewards was about.
“It is the policy of the FIA to ensure that language used in its public forums, such as press conferences, meets generally accepted standards for all audiences and broadcasts.
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“In particular this is true of statements made by participants in the World Championships and thus being role models both inside and outside the sport.
“This is clear in the regulations of the FIA and has been reinforced through previous cases brought before the Stewards in Formula One, in particular in Las Vegas in 2023.
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“The Stewards reviewed the transcript of the FIA Thursday Driver Press Conference in Singapore and Max Verstappen, driver of car 1, used language to describe his car at the Event in Azerbaijan which is generally considered ‘coarse, rude’ or may ‘cause offense’ and is not considered suitable for broadcast.
“This is ‘Misconduct’ as defined in Art 20 of the International Sporting Code, and is a breach of Art 12.2.1.k.
“The Stewards noted that the language was not directed at anyone or any group. When summoned to the Stewards the driver explained that the word used is ordinary in speech as he learned it, English not being his native language.
“While the Stewards accept that this may be true, it is important for role models to learn to be mindful when speaking in public forums, in particular, when not under any particular pressure. Verstappen apologized for his behavior.
“The Stewards note that significant fines have been levied for language offensive to or directed at specific groups. This is not the case here.
“But, as this topic has been raised before and is well known by the competitors, the Stewards determined to order a greater penalty than previously and that Verstappen be ‘obliged to accomplish some work of public interest’ (Art. 12.4.1.d of the International Sporting Code), in coordination with the Secretary General for Sport of the FIA,” read the statement released by the FIA.
Lewis Hamilton Calls Out FIA President For Racist Comments
Several drivers have hit back at the FIA for their ban and crackdown upon drivers using swear words. At the front of this list of drivers is 7-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton who attacked the FIA president stating that his comments were racist.
FIA President Ben Sulayem in a podcast had drawn comparisons to rap music and rappers.
“We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music. We’re not rappers, you know. They say the f-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us],” said Sulayem.
This statement drew heavy criticism from Lewis Hamilton who stated that the statement was racist.
“With what he said, I don’t like how he has expressed it. Saying ‘rappers’ is very stereotypical. If you think about it, most rappers are black, so it says: ‘We are not like them.’ Those are the wrong choice of words and there is a racial element there,” said Lewis Hamilton. -