Max Verstappen will undertake his ‘community service’ order for swearing in Rwanda.
The four-time world champion discussed his sanction amicably with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the Qatar race last week, and will travel to the capital Kigali this coming week.
Verstappen, who swore in a press conference in Singapore in September, will accept his trophy at the awards’ ceremony there as part of the General Assemblies while also serving his sentence.
A spokesman for the FIA confirmed: ‘While in Kigali he will undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC).’
It is understood that the FIA – and Verstappen – thought a project ‘helping kids’ was more suitable than working, for example, in a stewards’ room for the day.
Verstappen’s crime was to say his car was ‘f*****’.
Max Verstappen will undertake his community service for swearing in Rwanda this week
The world champion discussed his sanction with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem
Verstappen had labelled his Red Bull ‘f*****’ and was given a ‘work of public interest’ ruling
He then half-boycotted subsequent press conferences, giving curt answers, as a reaction to his ‘work of public interest’ ruling – instead speaking to journalists outside the official format. Other drivers supported him.
Ben Sulayem is keen to cut down on swearing, a position Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff backed last week.
‘Drivers are role models,’ said Wolff.