In light of the recent controversy surrounding Max Verstappen’s use of a swear word during a press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Formula One drivers are rallying together to discuss the matter with the FIA. Alex Wurz, chair of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), voiced his opinion that the penalty handed down to Verstappen was overly severe and stressed the importance of a united response from the drivers.
The incident erupted when Verstappen, reacting to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s request for drivers to refrain from using foul language, let an explicit term slip during a Thursday press conference. Subsequently, he was assigned a day’s community service. This episode has since overshadowed the discussions surrounding the race itself.
Frustrated by what he deemed a “silly” punishment from the FIA, Verstappen revealed he is contemplating his future in Formula One. After finishing second to McLaren’s Lando Norris, he shared that many of his fellow drivers support his position. Referencing the GPDA’s WhatsApp group, he noted, “I posted about the ruling, and everyone was almost laughing like: What the hell is that? It is very, very silly.”
Wurz echoed Verstappen’s concerns and drew attention to Guenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, who became popular partly because of his unfiltered language. “How many lifetime community services would Guenther Steiner have to serve for using the F word?” Wurz quipped, highlighting the irony that Steiner is celebrated for his candid expressions, particularly in the Netflix series “Drive to Survive,” while Verstappen faced consequences for similar behavior.
Interestingly, while Verstappen endured penalties, Norris also used profanity in the cool-down room post-race but has not faced any reprimand. The FIA and Ben Sulayem have yet to address the situation or Verstappen’s protests throughout the race weekend.
Wurz confirmed that the drivers plan to address the issue further, aiming for a resolution. “I think drivers need to be able to express themselves authentically to some extent. It shouldn’t be personally offensive or discriminatory, and they’ve made significant strides in that regard. Personally, I believe the penalty is too harsh. We will discuss this internally, reach a full consensus, and then decide how to approach the FIA and its president.”
