“Everyone was laughing” - Max Verstappen reveals F1 rivals’ light-hearted reaction to recent FIA ruling 

Max Verstappen revealed that his fellow drivers were unimpressed with the FIA’s ruling against him for using foul language during a press conference. Speaking to media, including Sportskeeda, in a session outside the FIA press conference, the Red Bull champion criticized the decision, saying that it stifled drivers from fully embracing their personalities.

During Thursday’s press conference in Baku, Verstappen used the f-word to describe his car, leading to a summons by the FIA stewards. He was handed a community service punishment and was also issued a warning for using inappropriate language on a live broadcast. In response to the ruling, Verstappen protested by giving monosyllabic answers in the post-qualifying press conference, later telling the media that he would answer questions more freely outside of the official setting.

A similar situation occurred after the Singapore GP, where Red Bull Racing arranged a separate media session with Verstappen following the official post-race press conference. The Dutch driver shared his opinion that drivers should have the freedom to express their emotions. Verstappen said when he posted the FIA’s ruling in the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association chat, his peers' responses were of humor and surprise at the decision.

Joking with the media, the 26-year-old said he preferred more informal sit-down sessions, where he felt free to voice his thoughts. He also expressed his dislike for the new regulations and avoided delving into further details to steer clear of additional FIA summons.

Asked by Sportskeeda if his peers in the GPDA were also going to protest along with him, Max Verstappen said:

“I mean, of course, I wrote in the GPDA [chat], you know, the...the ruling and everyone was almost laughing, you know, like, 'what the hell is that’, basically. So, yes, it is a very, very silly.”

Asked where he thinks the situation goes from here, he said,

“I don't know. I don't mind doing this (sit-down media session). For me it works well. I think you should be able to show emotions - in a way that's what racing is about...any sport. I mean anyone walking around on a pitch, if they get tackled or get pushed, or there's someone not happy with something, or there's a frustrating moment, or something that they get asked about, I think it's quite normal that there can be a sort of reaction.

I think, 'well, all these latest additions - I just sit down.' But I also don't want to go too much into it because otherwise I might get called back up again.”

Asked if he felt deprived of his being his authentic self, Verstappen said:

“Yeah for sure, I mean if you can't really be yourself, like to the fullest then it's better not to speak and in the day. But at the end of the day that's what no one wants because then you become a robot and then it's on how you should be going about it in the sport.”

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Max Verstappen highlights reasons for being disappointed with the FIA ruling against his language

Max Verstappen expressed disappointment with the FIA’s treatment of him after being reprimanded for using inappropriate language during a press conference. The reigning champion found it frustrating to be called out over what he considered a trivial issue, especially given his past contributions off-track. The FIA’s reasoning for the penalty was that drivers are prohibited from using inappropriate language during live broadcasts.

Verstappen hinted that such rulings could impact his long-term future in the sport, emphasizing his frustration with regulations that extend beyond the racing itself. Speaking to the media, he criticized the FIA’s decision, stating that the wording of the ruling was unfair and detracted from the human side of the sport.

Asked about his reasons for giving short answers in the press conference, Max Verstappen said:

“For me personally there’s no reason to give long answers when you get treated like that. You know I never felt that I had a bad relationship with them. Even when I mean you know, even this year, I did voluntary work with, like, junior stewards, I gave them half-an-hour interview, like all set up. So I tried to also help out and you know do they have little favours or whatever, you know.

"I'm not a difficult person to say ‘no’, you know. ‘Okay, sure, you know, that's what you guys like’, you know, I like to help out, and then you get treated like that, and like, well. That's just not how it works. So for me, it was quite straightforward. Because I know that I have to answer, but it doesn't say how long you have to answer.”

Asked if the matter impacted his future and longevity in the sport, the Dutch champion said:

“I mean these kind of things definitely design my future as well. You know, you can't be yourself, or you have to deal with these kind of silly things...I think now I'm at stage of my career that you don't want to be dealing with this all the time. It's really tiring you know. Yeah, of course, it's great to have success and win races. But once you have accomplished all that - winning championships and races - and then you want to just have a good time as well. Of course, everyone is pushing to the limit, everyone in this battle, even at the back of the grid. But if you have to deal with all these kinds of silly things... for me, that is not a way of continuing in the sport, that's for sure.”

He added:

“I think it's just the wording, the ruling that the sport is heading into, for me personally, with these kind of things. I know you can't insult people, that's quite straightforward, I mean that no one really wants to do that. But it's all a bit too soft really. And honestly, it's silly, it's super silly what we're dealing with.”

According to FIA rules, drivers are required to attend press conferences but are not obligated to provide answers of a specific length.

In the Singapore GP, Verstappen finished second behind his title rival, Lando Norris. This result has narrowed his lead in the drivers’ championship to 52 points. Meanwhile, McLaren has extended its advantage over Red Bull in the constructors’ standings to 41 points. Mathematically, Verstappen now needs to secure at least second place in every race, including Sprints, to retain his title.