Max Verstappen refused to give full answers during the FIA press conference following qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix in protest of the penalty he received for swearing earlier in the week.
The FIA has been trying to clamp down on drivers swearing on team radio, with Formula One Management (FOM) — who control what airs from team radio in races — often broadcasting emotionally-charged messages. In Thursday’s official press conference, Verstappen swore when describing how bad his car was in the previous race, and was later given an obligation “to accomplish some work of public interest” because his language amounted to misconduct as defined by the International Sporting Code.
Fresh from qualifying second on Saturday night, Verstappen then offered extremely short responses to the questions from the FIA moderator in the top three press conference, and when asked if he could elaborate at one stage he said, “No, I might get fined or get an extra day, so…”
Verstappen did make clear to the moderator that his protest was not aimed at him, and then when asked by a member of the press room about his qualifying performance he replied, “I would prefer if you ask these questions outside the room.”
True to his word, the Dutchman then carried out his own impromptu briefing after walking out of the official press conference room, and explained the reasoning for his approach.
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“I find it … ridiculous, what happened,” Verstappen said. “Why should I then give full answers? Because it is very easy, apparently, that you get a fine or some sort of penalty. I prefer not to speak a lot, save my voice, and of course we can do the interviews somewhere else.”
Verstappen believes the FIA wanted to set a precedent with him when it came to him saying his car was “f***ed” on Thursday, but insisted that his frustration was not with the stewards either.
“People got warnings or a little fine, and now with me they want to set an even bigger example, I guess, which for me is a bit weird because I didn’t swear at anyone particularly — I just said one thing about my car and they [reacted].
“It’s in the code, you know? They have to follow the book and it’s not the stewards; I don’t want to blame this on the stewards because I actually had a really good chat with them, and they need to follow the code, the book. I think they are quite understanding, but it’s difficult for them as well.”
An FIA spokesperson confirmed Verstappen would face no action for his approach to the press conference on Saturday, as he had fulfilled his obligations by attending and providing answers, regardless of length.
Verstappen also received support from both Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, who had qualified on pole position and third respectively.
“He deserved it!” Norris joked. “Foul language, so… I think it’s pretty unfair. I don’t agree with any of it.”
Hamilton added: “I think it’s a bit of a joke, to be honest. This is the pinnacle of the sport. Mistakes are made. I certainly won’t be doing [community service], and I hope Max doesn’t do it.”