The Singapore GP was a relatively straightforward race with no drama. However, Max Verstappen’s Thursday Press Conference ahead of the Singapore weekend got more attention than the entire showdown. The Dutchman dropped an F-bomb while he was discussing the ongoing problems with his RB20. However, this expletive coincided with FIA president Ben Sulayem’s remark of limiting foul words.
Thus, the regulatory body punished Verstappen as a step to curb the excessive use of inappropriate language. The RBR starlet was reprimanded with a community service-style penalty, which fellow drivers termed irrational. Moreover, even Ducthaman was unhappy with the decision, showing his disinterest in the following conferences. Now, Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, has also called out the FIA, claiming the punishment to be “ridiculous.”
“Not Doing A Good Job,” Jos Verstappen Bashes FIA Over Max’s Punishment
After Max dropped the f-bomb at the conference, he was asked to serve in community service. However, this penalty infuriated the triple champion, as he only said a word or two in the subsequent few media interactions. Moreover, he held an off-camera debrief with the media, talking freely about the performance. Later, he also opened up about the possibility of leaving the sport if FIA continues to ridicule the drivers. He also warned the regulatory body about the growing dissatisfaction among fellow drivers. This is due to FIA’s consistent pressure and focus on minor issues. Drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris also called the move irrational, as it wasn’t a big deal.
During a recent interview with Autosport, Jos Verstappen echoed a similar sentiment, bashing FIA for an illogical decision. He also pointed out a similar situation in Rally racing, where FIA advised Sebastian Ogier to be cautious with the words. However, Sr. Verstappen believes it to be “ridiculous” and blamed the governing body for not being “good enough.” Moreover, Jos wanted to speak more about the situation but stayed quiet, avoiding repercussions.
Helmut Marko Backs Max Verstappen’s Protest Against FIA’s “Over The Top” Penalty
Helmut Marko recently shared his thoughts on Max Verstappen’s mindset, emphasizing that Verstappen must be taken seriously given his remarkable achievements in Formula 1. Marko highlighted that while success is crucial to Verstappen, it is equally essential for him to enjoy the sport. If that enjoyment is diminished, Verstappen is the type of person who could genuinely walk away from the sport, and when he says “that’s it,” he means it. However, Marko expressed hope that the current situation will not push Verstappen toward an early retirement.
Marko also addressed recent controversies involving Verstappen’s comments, which were interpreted as disrespectful. He believes the criticism directed at Verstappen is unjustified and points out the presence of double standards. According to Marko, Verstappen’s remarks were not aimed at a person but were made in reference to a car, and his comments were delivered in a lighthearted manner. Marko acknowledged that perhaps Verstappen would approach press conferences more cautiously in the future if strict measures continue to be applied, but he feels the backlash has been excessive.