Former F1 driver Jos Verstappen criticized the community service imposed on his son, Max, by the FIA.
In private remarks, Jos Verstappen expressed disapproval of Max Verstappen’s mandatory community service, which was imposed after Max used profanity during an official FIA press conference in Singapore. Max was penalized by the stewards for using the word “s**t” during the Thursday press event ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.
Speaking to at the East Belgian Rally, where he finished fourth with co-driver Renaud Jamoul, Jos called it “the most ridiculous thing” he had seen.
“But we see this in rallying as well,” the former grand prix driver continued, referring to the suspended €30,000 fine given to WRC driver Sébastien Ogier earlier this month for his comments towards officials at the Acropolis Rally in Greece.
Earlier this year, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem issued a statement on Instagram, announcing that the International Sporting Code had been updated following “recent studies showing a direct link between negative comments from drivers and team members and the increasing hate towards officials on social media.” In a recent exclusive interview with,Ben Sulayem emphasized the need for drivers to be more mindful of their language, stating, “We need to be responsible people.”
In Belgium, Jos Verstappen remarked, “I don’t think the FIA is doing a great job,” with a sarcastic smile, adding, “But I won’t talk too much about that!” His son, Max Verstappen, also refrained from saying much. The three-time world champion made his feelings clear by giving brief answers during official press conferences on Saturday and Sunday in Singapore, leaving early to give longer responses outside in protest of the FIA’s decision.
Eight-time world rally champion Sébastien Ogier similarly protested during this weekend’s WRC round in Chile, giving only short replies in post-stage interviews. Ogier later commented, “Top FIA officials told us to keep our mouths shut.”
In this context, recent penalties regarding language have been harsher than those given for similar incidents in the past. For example, last year, team principals Toto Wolff and Frédéric Vasseur received official warnings for using similar language during a press conference in Las Vegas.
