Verstappen was describing the state of his car in qualifying for last weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix — but the incident came after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had urged drivers to watch their language, comparing them to rappers.
Formula One drivers are heard over the team radio during the heat of battle by millions of viewers worldwide, with the swearing bleeped out.
"We're not rappers, you know," Ben Sulayem, an Emirati, told motorsport.com in an interview. "They say the F-word how many times per minute?"
Asked about Ben Sulayem's comment, Verstappen said everyone swore and suggested it was a losing battle.
"Even if a five-year-old or six-year-old is watching, I mean, they will eventually swear anyway," he said. "Even if the parents won't, or they will not allow it, when they grow up they will walk around with their friends and they will be swearing."
The FIA has long sought to curb swearing in press conferences and on air, with Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur and Mercedes' Toto Wolff warned last year for similar use of language at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen slapped on the wrist for swearing at press conference
Foul-mouthed world champ must carry out 'work of public interest'
Image: Reuters
Formula One stewards ordered Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen to carry out "work of public interest" after he swore during a press conference for this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.
The moderator reminded the Red Bull driver about his language at the time during the Thursday conference organised by the governing FIA.
Stewards summoned Verstappen on Friday for an alleged breach of the international sporting code. They said in a statement that Verstappen apologised for his behaviour and explained he considered the word used to be "ordinary in speech as he learnt 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," they added.
"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."
The work of public interest will be carried out in co-ordination with the FIA's secretary general for sport at a date to be decided.
Verstappen effed off by call for F1 drivers to mind their language
Verstappen was describing the state of his car in qualifying for last weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix — but the incident came after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had urged drivers to watch their language, comparing them to rappers.
Formula One drivers are heard over the team radio during the heat of battle by millions of viewers worldwide, with the swearing bleeped out.
"We're not rappers, you know," Ben Sulayem, an Emirati, told motorsport.com in an interview. "They say the F-word how many times per minute?"
Asked about Ben Sulayem's comment, Verstappen said everyone swore and suggested it was a losing battle.
"Even if a five-year-old or six-year-old is watching, I mean, they will eventually swear anyway," he said. "Even if the parents won't, or they will not allow it, when they grow up they will walk around with their friends and they will be swearing."
The FIA has long sought to curb swearing in press conferences and on air, with Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur and Mercedes' Toto Wolff warned last year for similar use of language at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
READ MORE:
Leclerc fastest in first Singapore Grand Prix practice session
Williams open to conversations with Sauber over Colapinto
Hamilton says there’s a racial element to Ben Sulayem’s ‘rapper’ comment
McLaren drivers shrug off focus on flexi rear wing
Verstappen faces another big battle on the hazardous streets of Singapore
Norris considers Ferrari more of a threat than Red Bull
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos