Max Verstappen has shared his frustration regarding the FIA’s management of Formula One, labeling their decision-making process as “really tiring.” This sentiment surfaced after the Singapore Grand Prix, where Verstappen secured a second-place finish behind McLaren’s Lando Norris. Following the race, he hinted at possibly reevaluating his future in the sport, especially after facing repercussions for an expletive he used during a pre-race press conference, during which he described his car as “f***ed.”
When questioned about how these “petty altercations” might influence his career, the 26-year-old driver expressed, “For sure, yeah. I mean, these kinds of things definitely decide my future as well. When you can’t be yourself and have to deal with these kinds of silly things, it’s really tiring.”
Prior to the race weekend, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem indicated a desire to enforce stricter penalties for driver swearing, equating it unfavorably to the conduct of rap artists. This remark drew criticism from Lewis Hamilton, who interpreted it as having racial undertones. Both Norris and Verstappen voiced their disapproval of the FIA’s focus on what they considered trivial matters.
After receiving a community service penalty, Verstappen attended the post-qualifying FIA press conference but kept his responses brief, opting instead to engage more freely with journalists outside of the formal session. He maintained this stance in subsequent interactions after the race, emphasizing how the FIA’s regulations were dampening his passion for racing. “Of course it’s great to win, but after achieving all that, you want to have a good time as well,” he said. “Dealing with all these kinds of silly things is not a way to continue in this sport, that’s for sure.”
Hamilton, who finished sixth in the race, dismissed the FIA’s position as “a joke,” suggesting that Verstappen shouldn’t have to serve his punishment, adding that he himself would not accept such a penalty.
In light of Verstappen’s candid remarks, he raised the question of whether the FIA would genuinely consider the implications of potentially driving a world champion away from the sport. “At one point, when it’s enough, it’s enough,” he noted. “Formula One will go on without me, but it’s also not a problem for me. So it’s how it is.”
Following the race, both Hamilton and George Russell, who came in fourth, opted out of media obligations, citing what their team described as “borderline heatstroke.” The challenging 62-lap race in Singapore took place in high heat and humidity, with track conditions soaring to 37°C. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed that both drivers received medical attention but assured everyone that they were okay. “They just did not feel well. There were no bad feelings or any annoyance—it was just that they needed the doctors with them,” he stated.
