F1 team boss vows to ‘clean up’ his driver’s language after seeing what happened to Max Verstappen

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Max Verstappen will have to carry out some ‘work of public interest’ after swearing in an FIA press conference. Verstappen used an expletive in the media session ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver said his car was f****d during last weekend’s race in Azerbaijan. FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem wants to crack down on swearing, and the world champion found himself in the firing line.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Anthony Davidson called Verstappen’s comments ‘unacceptable’. He can condone a driver cursing over the radio when adrenalin is high, but feels there’s no excuse for being ‘slack’ out of the car.

Verstappen has hit back at Ben Sulayem, stating that his actions will have no effect. He believes that young viewers are unlikely to take verbal cues from F1 drivers.

One journalist reckons that Verstappen deliberately swore in the interview in order to make a point. The press conference is broadcast live, unlike most of the other media activities that routinely take place on Thursday.

This has been one of the biggest stories at Marina Bay following Ben Sulayem’s comments earlier in the week. Inevitably, then, the team principals faced questions on the issue in their own presser on Friday.

James Vowles will ‘chat’ to Williams driver Franco Colapinto over swearing

Williams team boss James Vowles was joined by Ferrari counterpart Fred Vasseur, along with Pirelli’s Mario Isola. In the interests of ‘transparency’, he admitted that Franco Colapinto used bad language earlier on Friday.

Vowles isn’t overly concerned. But he does intend to speak to the young Argentine following Verstappen’s punishment.

The former Mercedes man defended the drivers, who are speaking through microphones ‘in the heat of the moment’. It may be unrealistic to expect them to keep things clean at all times.

“Franco swore today, if I’m completely transparent, but we’ll have a chat with him later about that,” Vowles said. “That wasn’t for any other reason that he forgot something. That we can clean up. But I think in the heat of the moment, we’re asking a lot of athletes.”

What Franco Colapinto will do in 2025 if he doesn’t get Sauber seat

Colapinto is competing in just his third F1 race in Singapore. The most physically demanding race of the year, it’s a daunting test for the 21-year-old.

Since graduating from F2 to replace Logan Sargeant from the Italian GP onwards, he’s been excellent. He bagged a commendable P12 at Monza – a result Sargeant only bettered once all season.

He would then bring home four vital points for the team in Azerbaijan, helping them leapfrog Alpine in the standings. His predecessor only scored one point in a season and a half.

With Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz already signed, Vowles wants to place Colapinto at Sauber for 2025 in an effective loan arrangement. If that isn’t possible, he will hand him a reserve driver role and map out an extensive testing plan.