Martin Brundle shares ‘wasted energy’ verdict on Max Verstappen’s FIA swearing row

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Martin Brundle has shared his thoughts on the ongoing row between Max Verstappen and the FIA over swearing that erupted over the Singapore Grand Prix.

The row was kicked off with an interview made by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said he wanted to crack down on the use of foul language on TV broadcasts due to the influence it could have on online abuse.

Ben Sulayem said F1 must “differential between motorsport and rap music” and claimed the FIA already requested FOM to prevent the broadcast of expletives in the F1 TV feed.

The stewards went further in Singapore by penalising Max Verstappen for comments he made in the Thursday media conference after using expletives when describing the state of his Red Bull during the Azerbaijan GP.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Verstappen now has an “obligation to accomplish some work of public interest” as part of his punishment, despite arguing that “the word used is ordinary in speech as he learned it.”

In protest, the Dutchman decided not to answer any questions in the Saturday press conference and held his own session outside the TV area for media. Martin Brundle has given his thoughts on the row when writing in his post-race weekend column on Sky Sports.

Martin Brundle thinks Max Verstappen is ‘wasting energy’ on FIA swearing row

Drivers are still allowed to swear when talking to their engineers over team radio, but the FIA wants them to use more mindful language in official press conferences. Verstappen said the clampdown was unlikely to ‘change anything’ just hours before the stewards investigated and penalised him for his language.

Brundle believes Verstappen is wasting his energy on the whole situation considering he is under pressure to defend his title against Lando Norris.

“It’s wasted energy and serves no good purpose for him, but he still largely wouldn’t answer questions in the press conference post-race,” said Brundle.

“The drivers are not kids I accept, and we know they’ll sometimes swear in an attempt to have radio messages not transmitted, and of course they will also say ‘don’t broadcast our radio calls if you don’t like the language’.

“It may be street language, but they represent themselves, their families, their country, their team, global sponsors, F1 itself, and broadcasters worldwide.”

FIA updated International Sporting Code to combat online abuse towards officials

The FIA changed the International Sporting Code earlier in the year which could potentially see drivers penalised if they make statements to the media or through other mediums that provoke online abuse.

A study conducted in conjunction with the governing body revealed that 75% of athletes are ‘bombarded with threats’ online, calling for changes to be made to improve online discourse.

The revision to the ISC ‘misconduct’ clause came after Sergio Perez was penalised for his comments directed towards the stewards during last year’s Abu Dhabi GP.

The Mexican was penalised after calling the stewards “a joke” when they gave him a penalty for colliding with Norris.