The clash between the FIA and Max Verstappen does not subside. After the press conferences on Thursday at Singapore, the world champion had been ordered to perform community service. Well, after yesterday's race, the final verdict arrived: Verstappen will have to engage in an activity with young drivers in Kigali, Rwanda.
FIA takes a hard line against Verstappen
The long love story between Verstappen and the FIA does not seem to be destined to wane even during the increasingly short winter break. Just yesterday, during the Abu Dhabi GP, the Dutchman let himself go with a clearly offensive comment towards the stewards. “Stupid idiots” is an epithet that certainly cannot be pointed at the race officials. The issue of the tense moments that drivers face on the track always remains. That is, it seems quite human that a driver after an accident or a penalty can let himself go with a few too many words on the radio. But that is not why Verstappen was sanctioned, or at least, he has not been sanctioned yet. We will see in the future if measures will be taken regarding the behavior yesterday on the track of the number 1 Red Bull.
The sanction imposed on Verstappen is history from last month. In fact, during the usual drivers' press conference on Thursday before the Singapore Grand Prix, the world champion had commented in this way on the performance of his car during the Baku weekend. "We changed the setup after free practice, but it didn't work. When I started qualifying, I realized the car was screwed.“. A way of expressing oneself that the FIA did not like, which, instead of worrying about the real problems of this sport, wasted no time in applying the new very severe line imposed by the president I'm Sulayem.
Verstappen will be involved in the project Fia Affordable Cross Car
What was anticipated after the Singapore GP has finally arrived. Verstappen, next week, will travel to the city of Kigali in Rwanda to participate in the annual FIA awards ceremony, during which he will receive his fourth trophy as world champion. On the occasion of his presence on African soil, the Dutchman will serve his punishment by participating in an event surrounding the federation's event. This is the Fia Affordable Cross Car, a project which aims to spread the motorsport world in a more sustainable way, both from an environmental and economic point of view.
And so, as reported by the FIA press release, Verstappen will have to give his support to young drivers involved in the basic development program of the car organized by the Rwanda Automobile Club. Who knows if this sanction will lead the world champion to change his attitude towards the race officials and the federation. And, finally, who knows if the latter will sooner or later stop getting lost in trivial issues like this.
