It didn't take long for the first effects of the FIA's new policy regarding the foul language used by drivers to emerge. The first to pay the price was Max Verstappen, Red Bull driver and current leader of the Formula 1 championship, following the statements released during Thursday's press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. The Dutch driver, answering a question regarding the difficulties encountered during the race weekend in Baku, used language deemed inappropriate by the Federation, triggering an immediate reaction from the sports stewards.
The new FIA policy
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has recently tightened the rules regarding the behavior and language of drivers in public contexts, such as press conferences and radio communications. The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has strongly supported a change of direction, in order to preserve the integrity of the organization and of motorsport as a whole. Article 12.2.1 of the International Sporting Code, which until last year only covered inappropriate behavior towards FIA members, has been expanded to also include the use of offensive or foul language, whether verbal or written, deemed damaging to the image of the Federation and of motorsport in general.
Max Verstappen and the Singapore episode punished by the FIA
During Thursday's pre-race press conference at Marina Bay, Verstappen responded to a question about his difficulties in Azerbaijan with what was considered an offensive term. Describing the problems he had with his car's set-up, he said: “When I started qualifying, I realised the car was 'fucked'.” The use of a vulgar term immediately attracted the attention of the FIA, which was quick to intervene.
The official press release issued by the Sports Commissioners reads:
“The Stewards listened to the driver of car 1 (Max Verstappen), the team representative and examined the audio transcript. The FIA’s policy is to ensure that the language used in its public forums, such as press conferences, conforms to generally accepted standards for all spectators and broadcasts. This applies in particular to statements made by World Championship participants, who are therefore models of behaviour both inside and outside the sport. This is clear in the FIA regulations and has been reinforced by previous cases brought before the Stewards in Formula One, most notably in Las Vegas in 2023. The Stewards have reviewed the transcript of the FIA Thursday drivers’ press conference in Singapore and Max Verstappen, driver of Car 1, used language to describe his car during the event in Azerbaijan that is generally considered “coarse, rude” or likely to “cause offence” and is not considered suitable for broadcast. This is “misconduct” as defined in Art. 20 of the International Sporting Code and a breach of Art. 12.2.1.k. The Stewards noted that the language was not directed at anyone or any group.”
“When summoned by the Stewards, the driver explained that the word used is normal speech, as he learned it, as English is not his native language. While the Stewards accept that this may be true, it is important that role models learn to be careful when speaking in public, particularly when they are not under particular pressure. Verstappen has apologised for his behaviour. The Stewards note that significant fines have been issued for offensive language or language directed at specific groups. This is not the case here. However, as the issue has been raised previously and is well known to competitors, the Stewards have decided to impose a higher sanction than previously and to “oblige Verstappen to carry out work in the public interest” (art. 12.4.1.d of the International Sporting Code), in collaboration with the FIA General Secretary for Sport.”
The reactions and consequences
Verstappen, summoned by the stewards, explained that the term used is part of his common language and he had no intention of offending anyone. However, While accepting the driver's apologies, the FIA deemed it appropriate to apply a sanction, assigning him public interest work in collaboration with the Secretary General of Sport. This decision is a clear signal of the hard line adopted by the Federation against inappropriate behavior by pilots, even in more informal contexts such as press conferences.
The FIA's decisive intervention was not limited to fining Verstappen, but also wanted to give a concrete example of the application of the new rules, pushing the drivers to be more attentive and aware of their public role.
The case of Max Verstappen represents the first tangible example of the application of the FIA's new policy on driver language and behavior. The Federation wants to protect the image of motorsport and ensure that those in the spotlight respect appropriate standards of conduct, including in the linguistic field. Verstappen, aware of his role as a public figure, apologized, but this did not prevent the sanction: a clear message that, from now on, words also matter in Formula 1.
Born in Rome in November 1995, she has been cultivating a passion for F1 since she was a child, in the family. Hers for writing and for her social media world lead her to embark on a university course. After graduating in Communication Sciences, in 2022 comes the one in Marketing. Also in 2022 she begins to collaborate with YawClub, as a columnist and Social Media Manager. She loves experimenting, overcoming her own limits and expressing her creativity even with irony. If you were a pilot? it would definitely be Fernando Alonso.
