During the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton expressed their disapproval of the FIA’s punishment against Max Verstappen. The reigning champion from Oracle Red Bull Racing faced consequences for using inappropriate language during a Thursday press conference. The FIA cited Article 12.2.1.k of the International Sporting Code, mandating Verstappen to complete community service for his remarks, the specifics of which remain undisclosed.
Norris initially joked, “Deserves it,” but later criticized the sanction as “pretty unfair.” Hamilton dismissed the penalty outright, describing it as “a bit of a joke. Mistakes are made. I certainly won’t be doing it and I hope Max doesn’t.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized the necessity of maintaining professional decorum, differentiating motorsport from other entertainment forms such as rap music. “We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music,” he stated. “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].” Sulayem stressed the importance of responsible behavior, particularly given the live and recorded nature of broadcasts. “Because imagine you are sitting with your children and watching the race and then someone is saying all of this dirty language.”
