Verstappen censured by FIA for swearing

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has been censured by Formula 1’s governing body the FIA for swearing in an official news conference.

Stewards at the Singapore Grand Prix ruled that the world champion must “accomplish some work of public interest” for using language they deemed “coarse, rude or may cause offence”.

Asked for his reaction to the punishment, Verstappen said he had “no words”.

The move follows an intervention by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who suggested in an interview that drivers could be hit with penalties for swearing over team radio.

A number of drivers, including Verstappen, pushed back against Ben Sulayem’s comments on Thursday.

Lewis Hamilton accused the Emirati of using “stereotypical” language with a “racial element” in his remarks during the interview in question.

Verstappen spent 13 minutes with the stewards at Marina Bay between the first and second practice sessions.

The stewards’ verdict said that language in news conferences must “meet generally accepted standards for all audiences” and emphasised F1 drivers’ status as role models.

The statement continued: “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 apologised for his behaviour.”

The verdict noted that on previous occasions “significant fines” had been levied for bad language.

Verstappen’s punishment was deemed to be “greater” because “this topic has been raised before and is well known by the competitors”.

The details of the work Verstappen must do have to be agreed between him and the FIA.