Max Verstappen found himself at the centre of a media storm after his harsh words to the stewards during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but ultimately walked away without consequences. The four-time world champion was handed a 10-second penalty for a first-corner contact with Oscar Piastri and reacted angrily to the stewards' decision, calling them "stupid idiots" on the radio. Despite the criticism, the FIA decided not to take further disciplinary action unlike what they did in the case of the swear word in the press conference, which cost Max a good day of racing. social services.
Red Bull's compact defense
Red Bull immediately came to the defense of its driver. Helmut Marko explained that Verstappen’s reaction was an understandable response to the pressure of the moment. “Max is an extremely competitive driver and in these moments of tension he can let off steam,” said Marko. “These moments of frustration are part of the competition. We cannot expect drivers to always be calm and diplomatic.” Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, also supported this view, saying that emotions are part of the game and must be understood as such. “Emotions are part of the DNA of this sport,” said Horner. “The public must understand that Formula 1 is first and foremost an arena of competition at the highest level, where the pressure is always on.”
Verstappen he gets away
Despite Verstappen’s behavior, the FIA chose not to pursue further investigation or sanctions. “Verstappen’s language was seen as an understandable outburst and not as a breach of FIA rules,” a spokesperson for the organization explained. This has sparked controversy among fans and pundits, many of whom argue that the FIA should have stepped in to set a precedent. However, Red Bull’s support was crucial in the decision not to impose further sanctions.
Horner's complaint about the judging system
Verstappen’s crash in Abu Dhabi has also raised major questions about consistency in Formula 1’s judging system. Horner criticised the lack of consistency in the treatment of incidents, noting that each decision can vary depending on the judges and the circumstances. “This lack of consistency is damaging to the credibility of the sport,” Horner said. “We need to work to standardise the stewards’ decisions so that every incident is treated the same. The FIA needs to be clear on these points to maintain the integrity of the competition.”
Lesson or Warning?
Verstappen’s case in Abu Dhabi has raised questions about what is considered acceptable in terms of driver behavior. The lack of further consequences has raised the debate about where the line is between understandable frustration and unacceptable behavior. “The issue raised by this incident goes beyond Verstappen,” Horner said. “It’s about how the FIA handles critical situations and driver emotions. We need to find a balance that allows everyone to compete in a healthy and respectful way.”
Source: Motorsport
