The ‘escalation’ planned by the FIA if Max Verstappen refuses to serve swearing penalty

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Max Verstappen will have to carry out ‘some work of public interest’ after swearing in the FIA press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. Verstappen’s penalty was one of the biggest stories of the Marina Bay weekend.

Reflecting on the previous race in Azerbaijan, he said his Red Bull car was ‘f****d’. He made these comments in the midst of FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem’s swearing clampdown.

The sport’s governing body found that Verstappen had breached their international sporting code. They’ve ordered him to carry out the F1 equivalent of community service as a result.

Sky Sports pundit Anthony Davidson called Verstappen’s language ‘unacceptable’. He feels expletives can be excused inside the cockpit, but not in an interview setting.

One journalist suspects that Verstappen swore deliberately in the presser. The Dutchman may have set out to defy Ben Sulayem.

He would refuse to engage with journalists in the press room later in the weekend. In a remarkable development, he agreed to speak to them outside instead, where he was free from sanction.

Max Verstappen faces bigger punishment if he rejects FIA swearing sanctions

Verstappen has yet to confirm whether or not he’ll serve his FIA punishment. He may choose not to do so in an effective protest.

He’s received support from his fellow drivers, including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton joined Verstappen in Saturday’s extraordinary post-qualifying press conference.

According to F1-Insider, however, Verstappen faces ‘even greater’ trouble if he refuses his initial penalty. FIA sources have ‘leaked out’ that there will be an ‘escalation’ if necessary.

They seem determined not to back down even in the face of a backlash from the drivers. It may consequently be a case of who blinks first.

Helmut Marko on the ‘positive influence’ of Max Verstappen’s swearing row

Verstappen is currently battling Lando Norris for the drivers’ title. His lead is down to 52 points after Norris won the Singapore Grand Prix.

With six races and three Sprints remaining, he should be able to win the title without panic. But one DNF or major loss of points could make for a dramatic finale.

In these circumstances, Martin Brundle feels Verstappen is ‘wasting energy’ on the dispute. Eventually, he may decide to carry out his obligations and let the story fade away.

However, Helmut Marko has praised Verstappen’s stance. He feels the 26-year-old can be a ‘positive influence’ on young viewers if he holds firm in the face of supposedly unfair treatment.