The reigning champion has found himself as somewhat of a martyr, having become a recipient of the governing body’s new rules regarding swearing at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Verstappen was given a one-day community service order for using an expletive whilst answering a question regarding his car’s setup at the previous race in Azerbaijan.
“I don’t know, man. Different set-up. So as soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f*****,” he said.
After being handed the punishment – which broke Article 12.2.1k of the International Sporting Code – the Dutchman subsequently gave short, one-word answers in the following press conference, followed by an impromptu media event he held with reporters in Red Bull’s hospitality suite.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was the next driver to be reprimanded in Mexico, though he was given a fine for the incident, escaping further punishment after apologising.
The alterations made by the FIA to its regulations have caused a significant kickback by the drivers, with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – which is chaired by former F1 driver Alexander Wurz and has George Russell as a director – issuing a statement regarding the perception of drivers’ behaviour.
The statement also rebukes the use of the media by the FIA’s President – Mohammed Ben Sulayem – which urges him to “consider his own tone and language”.
Speaking to the media, Verstappen said: “You always have to be politically correct.”
“That’s always been the case, but I think with some of the things that have come in lately, it makes it a little bit less enjoyable.”
On the topic of whether the situation between the drivers and the FIA worsens, Verstappen went on to say: “If it gets worse, I don’t know, but for me, I prefer not to say too much.
“[I am] just living my life, doing what I have to do on the race weekends, but also the outside of that.
“Do what you enjoy, [but] you have to be very careful with what you say.”
