Max Verstappen won't stop expressing his thoughts openly.
F1 Chief Stewards Slap Verstappen With Penalty Over Mouth. Champ Laughs It Off, Hamilton Blasts FIA Boss. Hamilton Fires Back At Sulayem's Words.
The "F-bomb" from Max Verstappen's vocabulary bag landed him in hot water. The reigning Formula 1 World Champion, who brushed aside the debate over indecent language on Thursday with a nonchalant grin and labeled it childish, now faces a stint of community service. The decision came courtesy of the Formula 1's top-tier stewards in Singapore.
Verstappen will tackle "tasks of public importance" due to his use of the "facked" phrase during a press conference on Thursday to discuss his vehicle's performance. According to the FIA, this expletive is "generally deemed crass, impolite, or offensive." It is considered "unfit for broadcast" and a "breach of Article 20 and Article 12.2.1.k of the International Sporting Code."
Although Verstappen expressed remorse for his language, his plea that English is not his mother tongue and the term was not intended to offend only went halfway. The FIA noted that he should be mindful of his public persona and role model status, especially when under no pressure. It was perceived as a mitigating factor that Verstappen's use of the term was not directed at any individual or group.
Hamilton Speaks Out Against Sulayem
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently expressed his distaste for the language used in Formula 1, stating in an interview that he often found it vulgar. He asserted that the "F-word" and other unsavory remarks have no place in the sport, likening them to "rap music" that is more fitting for that genre.
Lewis Hamilton supported the core message behind Ben Sulayem's comments but disagreed with the delivery. "The label 'rappers' is highly stereotypical," Hamilton remarked, adding that he perceived a hint of racism in the FIA leader's words since most rappers are of Black origin.
Verstappen dismissed Sulayem's wish as trivial and vowed not to censor himself. "Are we five, or six?" the Red Bull racer questioned: "Even if a five- or six-year-old is watching, they'll still swear when they grow up."
Verstappen's Uncomplicated Solution
Verstappen acknowledged that swear words are already censored during live broadcasts, but Ben Sulayem still deemed that as insufficient. "We need to differentiate between our sport and rap music," he explained: "We're not rappers. They drop the F-bomb as often as every minute. That's not us. That's them."
In contrast, Verstappen views the F-word as not inherently offensive. He points out that it is simply a part of the language and that many people, particularly those filled with adrenaline, may utter unpleasant remarks under those conditions. While Sulayem advocated for a more elegant tone, Formula 1 is known for its amplification of drivers' emotions. Sofa media often plays pit radio dialogue exchanges, grabbing massive attention with the viral clips.
"It's probably for entertainment purposes that these headlines are spread," Verstappen suggested. The solution is straightforward: Stop airing the pit radio so no one gets offended by its content or acknowledge that not all comments are flowery.
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The penalty for Verstappen was met with mixed reactions from the Formula 1 community, with some supporters viewing it as excessive and others welcoming it as a necessary step towards maintaining professionalism.
Despite the penalty, Verstappen remained confident and vowed to bounce back stronger, promising his fans that he would continue to give his best on the track.
