Max Verstappen has to do community service. The race stewards penalized the Formula 1 world champion for "inappropriate language" during the Grand Prix weekend in Singapore.
The use of swear words is a much-discussed issue in Singapore these days. The ball was set rolling by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). He called on the drivers to pay more attention to their choice of words in radio messages with the team crew and at press conferences. Ben Sulayem based his objection on the exemplary role played by the drivers in the most important racing series in motor racing.
Verstappen did not adhere to the instructions of the head of the association. In the official press conference in Singapore, the Dutchman was asked why he was unable to keep up with his team-mate Sergio Perez in last Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
Verstappen spoke of the different set-up of the cars in the Red Bull team. He had already noticed at the start of qualifying that the RB20 was not running as desired - and used the familiar word with "F" as the first letter.
The stewards therefore summoned Verstappen and handed down a relatively severe penalty at the end of the meeting. The title holder must carry out community service. The FIA media department did not reveal on which project and to what extent he must "serve" the hours.