Ralf Schumacher believes FIA swearing row will end in one way for Max Verstappen

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The Singapore Grand Prix was engulfed in a row between Max Verstappen and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem over swearing in the official press conferences.

Max Verstappen will be “obliged to accomplish some work of public interest” after the FIA stewards investigated him for swearing during the Thursday driver’s press conference.

It came after Ben Sulayem said F1 must “differentiate between motorsport and rap music” and called on drivers to be more mindful of their language, while also confirming the FIA’s plans to censor more radio messages.

In protest of his penalty, Verstappen decided not to answer any questions in the Saturday press conference and instead held his own session outside the TV area for media.

Martin Brundle felt it was ‘wasted energy’ from the Dutchman considering he is in a title fight with Lando Norris, while Ralf Schumacher believes there is only one way it will end when speaking to F1 Insider.

Ralf Schumacher can’t see ‘FIA giving in’ over swearing row

Verstappen was unhappy with the whole situation and threatened an early retirement from F1 after growing disillusioned with the matter.

Schumacher believes the FIA is likely to continue enforcing the rule, despite the efforts from Verstappen to undermine their position.

“Max feels he has been treated unfairly, we all know that. He should make something meaningful out of a senseless penalty and suggest something that is close to his heart,” said Schumacher.

“Then the problem would be solved. Because I can’t imagine the FIA ​​President giving in. But I also trust Max to stop.”

What a former FIA boss said about drivers swearing

Schumacher was the subject of a inquiry while he was an F1 driver from Peter Windsor who raised the language he used over radio with former FIA Deputy Race Director Herbie Blash.

According to Windsor, drivers were not handed punishments because former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone thought it was good for TV audiences.

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Verstappen is the first driver to be penalised under the new rules after the FIA warned teams about their language in the aftermath of the Las Vegas GP team principals’ press conference last year.

Both Toto Wolff and Frederic Vasseur were investigated for their remarks, but were later given warnings as the stewards felt there was an element of provocation from media.