Max Verstappen, the star driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing, made a pointed statement during the press conference following his qualifying session in Singapore. His actions were in response to a community service punishment imposed by the FIA due to his use of inappropriate language during a previous Drivers’ Press Conference.
Visibly displeased, Verstappen offered minimalistic answers throughout the session. “I find it, of course, ridiculous what happens. So why should I then give full answers?” he commented. Verstappen elaborated on his perspective: “Because I might… It’s very easily, apparently you get a fine, or you get some sort of penalties.”
He further criticized the FIA’s move to use him as a precedent, feeling it was disproportionate: “Now with me, they wanted to set an even bigger example, I guess. Which for me is a bit weird, of course.” Despite his disapproval, Verstappen acknowledged the challenging position of the stewards, “I don’t want to blame this on the stewards, because I actually had a really good chat with them. They just have to follow the code, you know, and the book.”
Red Bull’s sporting director Jonathan Wheatley discussed the issue with FIA steward Tim Mayer, among others. Ultimately, the FIA chose not to impose further sanctions, stating, “No, he took part in the FIA Press Conference as required by the procedures.”
