Formula One drivers to take united stance on swearing
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Red Bull's Max Verstappen was ordered to do “work of public interest” for using a swear word to describe his car.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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AUSTIN – Formula One drivers are planning a united response to the governing body’s crackdown on swearing after Red Bull’s three-time world champion Max Verstappen was punished for his language in a press conference.
Mercedes driver George Russell, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, told reporters at the United States Grand Prix that a statement was likely when the championship goes to Mexico next week.
“It does seem a little bit silly that it has come to this,” he said. “We have yet to speak to the FIA but we hope to do so probably next week, maybe in Mexico.
“Collectively, we’re all on the same page. Next week, we will probably formally put something towards you guys to read from the drivers as a united whole.
“I think generally speaking, we don’t want to be taking away the heat of the moment emotions that drivers show during a race. It is down to maybe the broadcaster when it comes to the race to choose whether they want to broadcast that.”
Russell added it was challenging for drivers in the heat of battle and talking over the team radio but recognised in a calmer environment “maybe we have a duty just to be conscious of our words”.
Verstappen’s position has been to give only short replies to questions in FIA organised news conferences since the incident in Singapore in September and speak more fully to reporters in his team’s hospitality area.
The Dutch driver, who was ordered to do “work of public interest” for using a swear word
“I mean, I will speak,” he said. “But this table works well.”
He also reiterated his view that the swearing clampdown was “silly” and “unnecessary”.
Verstappen said he had heard no more from the FIA about his punishment.
“I am always open for a chat. But from my side at the moment it is not that I am the one who has to reach out with this stuff.
“I just live my life. I just continue, nothing changes,” he said when asked about a possible dialogue with FIA head Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
“I’m not aggressive or whatever. I’m just living my life and when I don’t agree with something I’ll say it, but that’s it... Of course, I know you can’t generally swear but it’s more about when you insult someone.
“Then you hear comments, like: ‘Yeah but you don’t want kids seeing that’. But when I was five years old, I never watched a press conference in my life anyway. And at school you hear way worse things than that... That’s just how life is.
“They want you to set an example. Yeah, sure. I don’t think they should make such a big deal about it.”
Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said the impasse was “not a good look”.
He added: “Among the drivers, we have spoken about it. I’m sure we will speak about it in the drivers’ briefing, but there’s no plan for anything at the moment (regarding FIA talks).
“But I think even for F1, they probably know, it wasn’t a great look and will look to figure out something else moving forward.” REUTERS
