What F1 drivers are saying about Max Verstappen swearing penalty in WhatsApp group

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Max Verstappen received a penalty for swearing in the FIA press conference on Thursday ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

The three-time world champion was told to “accomplish some work of public interest” after using bad language ahead of the weekend, and the GPDA reacted in a mixed way.

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, run by Alex Wurz, doesn’t think the penalty is justified and the group have been dissatisfied.

Wurz explained that the WhatsApp group members have discussed the penalty a lot when speaking to motorsport-total.com.

Alex Wurz explained that no one in the GPDA WhatsApp group thinks Max Verstappen’s penalty is ‘really cool’

Wurz is highly experienced, having competed in 69 Formula 1 races and taken three podium finishes over his career.

The Austrian has been the chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association since 2014, and the group are unhappy that there was a lack of transparency around the issue.

Formula 1’s defending champion has been visibly frustrated by the penalty during the weekend but qualified in second place for the Singapore Grand Prix despite Verstappen lacking grip in his Red Bull throughout practice.

Wurz explained that the GPDA WhatsApp group was not impressed by the saga surrounding the Dutchman over the weekend.

He said: “Nobody in the GPDA WhatsApp group thinks it’s really cool. Of course, all the drivers are upset about it.”

Max Verstappen is starting the Singapore Grand Prix on the front row alongside Lando Norris

Despite not winning a race since June’s Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen still holds a commanding 59-point advantage at the top of the championship.

The Red Bull driver battled with an underperforming car over the summer, but Lando Norris failed to take full advantage.

Verstappen wrestling his car onto the front row has given him a chance of victory, although McLaren have been very quick all weekend.

Norris failed to lead after the first lap after every one of his starts from pole position, which may weigh on his mind, particularly with his title rival alongside him.