Jos Verstappen has fiercely criticized the FIA’s decision to impose community service on his son, reigning F1 World Champion Max Verstappen, following an incident during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix. Max was penalized for using profanity to describe his RB20 car, calling it “f****d” during a mandatory media session. The FIA responded by ordering him to complete “work of public interest” as a form of punishment, a ruling that has sparked significant debate within the motorsport community.
Jos Verstappen, speaking at the East Belgian Rally, where he recently secured fourth place, labeled the punishment as “the most ridiculous thing.” He expressed frustration with the FIA’s inconsistent approach to penalizing drivers for their language, pointing out that similar incidents in other motorsport events, such as rallying, have been met with less severe penalties. Jos referenced a recent case involving eight-time World Rally Championship (WRC) champion Sebastien Ogier, who received a suspended €30,000 fine for comments made towards officials during the Acropolis Rally in Greece.
The elder Verstappen suggested that the FIA’s punishment of Max was disproportionate and inconsistent compared to previous cases. He also criticized the governing body’s recent crackdown on driver conduct, which has been linked to the rise in online hate directed at officials. Jos, however, refrained from elaborating further on the matter, remarking, “I don’t think the FIA is doing a very good job, but I won’t say too much about this.”
Max Verstappen, although not directly addressing the punishment, made his feelings clear during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend by providing one-word answers in press conferences, a silent protest against the ruling. The FIA’s handling of this incident has drawn widespread criticism, with many pointing out the inconsistency in penalties, especially when compared to similar instances involving other high-profile figures in Formula 1.
The FIA’s decision to punish Verstappen has fueled ongoing discussions about fairness and consistency in the sport, with fans and analysts debating whether the governing body is applying its rules equitably across the grid. The Verstappen camp remains vocal in their discontent, while the FIA faces growing pressure to address concerns over how it handles driver discipline.
