Max Verstappen stuck two fingers up at Formula One’s rulers on Saturday by refusing to answer questions in the post-qualifying press conference in Singapore.
The world champion, who secured second place on the grid behind pole-man Lando Norris as their title battle intensifies, was venting his anger at being handed two days of ‘community service’ for swearing in a media call on Thursday.
He is privately backed by several of his fellow drivers, with the sport’s most decorated star Lewis Hamilton publicly urging Verstappen to boycott the punishment.
‘It is a joke,’ said the Briton, who qualified third. ‘I certainly wouldn’t be doing it, and I hope Max won’t be doing it.’
Swearing is a hot topic this weekend after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem called for bad language to be curbed.
Max Verstappen refused to answer questions in his post-qualifying press conference at the Singapore GP weekend
The Red Bull star has been ordered to volunteer at the grassroots level of the sport after swearing during a televised press conference
A few hours afterwards later described his car at last weekend’s race in Azerbaijan as ‘f*****.’ He was consequently called in by the stewards, who included former British driver Johnny Herbert. The officials deemed Verstappen to have breached the International Sporting Code, adding that as a role model he should have conducted himself better.
His exchanges in the press conference included:
What did you change on the car?
‘A lot,’ he said.
Can you elaborate?
‘No, I might get fined or get an extra day.’
Are you confident with the race pace?
‘Maybe.’
How much of a step into an unknown is tomorrow’s race?
‘It’s an unknown.’
Can you tell us about lining up alongside Lando in terms of the championship and your tactics?
Lewis Hamilton has thrown his support behind Verstappen, calling the order a ‘joke’
Verstappen called his punishment ‘ridiculous’ as he had not sworn at a person, but over his car
‘We’ll find out tomorrow.’
The moderator then opened the floor to journalists.
‘I would prefer if you would ask these questions outside of the room,’ said Verstappen.
What happens if your behaviour here triggers another penalty?
‘No comment.’
How long will you keep boycotting?
‘I am answering. Just not a lot. I’ve got a problem with my voice.’
Verstappen made it clear he had no problem with the questions – or questioners – and gave fuller answers as he walked through the paddock.
‘They want to set a precedent with me and send an even bigger example, which is a bit weird,’ he said. ‘I just said one thing about my car.
‘It is in the code. They have to follow the book. I don’t want to blame the stewards. I had a good chat with them. They are understanding but it is difficult for them, too.
Verstappen qualified second for the Singapore GP while Sainz, behind, brought out a red flag with his crash
‘I get it if you aim (swearing) at someone. I felt the punishment was ridiculous.’
Focus turns to the race today – and the real question of whether Norris can convert his pole into a lead at the end of the first lap, a trick that has eluded him in his five previous attempts.
He was certainly impressive in qualifying, finishing 0.203sec ahead of Verstappen as Q3 was turned into a one-lap shootout when Carlos Sainz crashed his Ferrari.
With 206 points on offer across seven rounds, Norris is 59 points back.
‘They are closer on my tail than I would like,’ said the McLaren man. ‘But I am confident that if stay ahead, I can get my head down and go away.’