Max Verstappen explains why FIA clampdown on swearing will ‘not change anything’

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Max Verstappen has responded to the proposal from the FIA to clamp down on swearing over team radio, following a request from President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The FIA President has requested that producers behind the F1 TV world feed limit the amount of swearing broadcasted, after voicing his concerns over the growing number of instances.

Swearing is usually bleeped out before it is broadcasted, but now there could be a new clampdown that sees radio messages with expletives discarded altogether and drivers punished if it is too frequent.

Ben Sulayem said F1 must “differentiate between motorsport and rap music” and believes there is a direct link between the language expressed by drivers and how it can help contribute to online abuse.

Comments made by Max Verstappen directed at his Red Bull team during the Hungarian Grand Prix drew criticism, after they put him on an unfavourable strategy. When he asked the team to contest a penalty, his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase shut him down by branding his request “childish” over team radio.

When asked about the proposed changes in the Singapore GP, the Dutchman explained why he thinks the change will make little difference to how drivers behave.

Max Verstappen thinks driver swear ban ‘will not change anything’

Drivers often express frustration with ‘heat of the moment’ comments over team radio, which can include abuse directed at teams, drivers, or officials.

Sebastian Vettel landed himself in hot water for his comments aimed towards the late Race Director Charlie Whiting at the 2016 Mexican GP, leading to him issuing an apology after the race. The governing body also warned that any similar incident in the future would lead to disciplinary action before an FIA International Tribunal.

Verstappen gave his thoughts on whether he thinks any ban on swearing would be effective: “If you have a bit of a delay where you can censor out a few things, that will help a lot more than putting bans on drivers because, for example, I couldn’t even say the F word.

“It’s not even that bad, right? I mean, the car was not working. The car is F’ed and excuse me for the language, but come on… What are we five-year-olds? six-year-olds? Even if a five-year-old or six-year-old is watching, they will eventually swear anyway.

“Even if the parents want, they will not allow it when they grow up they will walk around with their friends, and they will be swearing, so you know this is not changing anything.”

FIA updates International Sporting Code to combat online abuse

The FIA made changes to the International Sporting Code earlier in the year which could potentially penalise drivers who make statements to the media or through other mediums which could provoke online abuse.

It was part of the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign, which aims to stamp out online abuse directed towards officials.

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

The revision to the ISC ‘misconduct’ clause came in light of its use at last year’s Abu Dhabi GP when Sergio Perez was penalised for comments directed towards the stewards following a penalty for colliding with Lando Norris.