Max Verstappen holds an impromptu press meet outside FIA conference room in protest against the 'inappropriate language' penalty

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen held an impromptu press conference outside with the journalist in protest against the FIA's 'inappropriate language' penalty directed towards him at the Singapore Grand Prix. The three-time world champion was held accountable by the sports governing body after he used a swear word during the pre-race press conference while describing his RB20's performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend.

The Dutch driver claimed that his 'car was f***ed' before he went into the race in Baku as the setup changes he made in qualifying caused balance issues. However, it did not go down well with the FIA, who penalized him for swearing, as they believed that drivers were not 'rappers' and were role models for people watching the sport.

Max Verstappen was given a day of community service as punishment by race stewards. The Red Bull driver went on to give one-word answers in the post-qualifying press conference in his protest against the governing body and asked the journalists to ask their questions outside the press room.

Several journalists took to their social media platform, X, to document the protest, with some even supporting the 26-year-old's actions.

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Max Verstappen gives his take on his 'ridiculous' penalty at Singapore

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen stated that his penalty for swearing in the pre-race press conference was just ridiculous, as he believed that he did not insult anyone.

Speaking with Sky Sports, the Dutchman said:

"I find it ridiculous what happened, so why should I then give full answers? Because it's very easy, apparently, that you get a fine or you get some sort of penalty. So I prefer then not to speak a lot, save my voice and we can do the interviews also somewhere else."

"It's just ridiculous. To get a penalty for that, this kind of thing, for me. I think when you insult someone, that's pretty clear. I didn't even aim it at a person. It's a bit of a slip-of-the-tongue moment. It's in the rules." he said.

Max Verstappen was sympathetic towards the race stewards as he believed that they were just doing their job, adding:

"This is not even to the stewards because they are just bound to a rulebook. I actually had a great chat with them about it. They are very understanding but it's in the rules and they have to apply something. For me, it's not the right way to go forward in our sport."

On the track, Max Verstappen finished in P2 in the qualifying session on Saturday behind his title rival Lando Norris, who was the favorite for the pole position. It is the first time since the Dutch GP that the 26-year-old would start a race from the grid's front row.