There were several issues that characterized the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, both on and off the track. One of these was undoubtedly the FIA’s decision to sanction foul language from drivers during the ritual press conferences, as happened in the case of Max Verstappen, who will now have to do community service for an inappropriate word said on Thursday.
A sanction that the three-time world champion did not appreciate, so much so that he responded in monosyllables in the official FIA press conference after qualifying, and then organized a “private” one with journalists, in which he spoke freely. An attitude that was then repeated at the end of the race, a sign that the story does not seem to have ended after a few hours.
Verstappen said he explained his penalty in the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association) WhatsApp group, where all the drivers on the grid are present, saying that “everyone was almost laughing, saying ‘What the hell is that?'”. In fact, many drivers had sided with the Dutchman, even before Verstappen was called out by the stewards, so the penalty was interpreted in an even more negative way.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, pole man Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team
Photo by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Images
When asked if this “punishment” could jeopardize his future in Formula 1, Max did not deny that it could have an impact. The Red Bull driver has never hidden the fact that, having also arrived in the top series quite early and having already achieved his goal of winning the world championship, he will not continue his career indefinitely, with the idea of trying his hand at other championships, such as endurance racing. Clearly, it is difficult to think of a retirement in the immediate future, but the Dutchman has never hidden the fact that certain attitudes are difficult to accept lightly.
“Certainly. Yes. I mean, these kinds of things definitely decide my future as well,” Verstappen said in the second press conference held after the conclusion of the race, underlining how these episodes could also have repercussions on his path in the top series.
“When you can’t be yourself, you have to deal with this kind of nonsense. I’m at a stage in my career where I don’t want to deal with this stuff all the time. It’s really tiring. Of course it’s nice to be successful and win races, but once you’ve achieved all that, winning championships and races, then you also want to have fun.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“Everyone is pushing hard. Everyone is fighting, even those at the back of the grid. But if you have to deal with all this nonsense, for me it’s no way to continue practicing this sport, that’s for sure,” Verstappen added, before stressing that, beyond the classic PR, this type of imposition by the FIA takes away the opportunity for drivers to express themselves freely. It’s no coincidence that many drivers joked about this very topic during the weekend, even behind the podium waiting for the awards ceremony.
“Yes, of course. If you can’t be yourself at your best, then it’s better not to talk at the end of the day. But that’s what nobody wants, because then you become a robot, and that’s not how you should do it in this sport.”
Asked if he thought the governing body was aware that this could drive him away from F1, Verstappen believes the FIA is not really considering this scenario: “I don’t know how seriously they will take this kind of thing.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20
Photo by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Images
“But for me, obviously, at a certain point, when it’s too much, it’s too much. We’ll see, everything will go on in Formula 1 without me, it’s not a problem, but it’s not a problem for me either. So that’s how it is.”
Verstappen was relaxed and engaging. Drivers don’t usually like media engagements, but this one
However, with F1 heading into an unusually long break in the championship beyond the summer, with no races until the US Grand Prix in Austin on October 21, the Red Bull driver explained that he will use this time to take a break, also considering whether to continue with secondary press conferences with journalists, in addition to those of the FIA: “First let’s take a break from everything, including F1 in two weeks. At least two weeks, and then we’ll start again in Austin. Let’s see where we are.” It is not to be ruled out that the situation could reach a stalemate, unless there is direct intervention or discussion from the heads of Formula 1 and the FIA.
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