Jos Verstappen slams FIA's penalty on son Max for swearing
Jos Verstappen criticizes FIA's swearing penalty on Max, drivers protest strict language rules in F1 and WRC.
The FIA's recent clampdown on driver language has drawn sharp criticism from Jos Verstappen, father of three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.
Speaking to Autosport, the former F1 driver didn't mince words when addressing his son's penalty for swearing during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.
"I think that is the most ridiculous thing,"
Jos Verstappen declared at the East Belgian Rally, where he finished fourth with co-driver Renaud Jamoul.
The elder Verstappen's frustration stems from the community service mandated by the stewards after Max used the word 'fucked' during the pre-race press conference in Singapore.
FIA's tightening grip on language
The incident highlights a broader trend of the FIA taking a stricter stance on driver conduct and language.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently amended the International Sporting Code, citing a direct link between negative comments from drivers and team members and increased online hate directed at officials.
This hardline approach isn't limited to Formula 1.
Jos Verstappen pointed out similar issues in rally, referencing the €30,000 suspended fine handed to WRC driver Sébastien Ogier for comments made to officials at the Acropolis Rally in Greece.
Drivers push back
The penalties have not gone unchallenged. Max Verstappen made his feelings clear in Singapore by giving terse responses during subsequent official press conferences, saving more detailed comments for informal media sessions outside the mandated events.
Similarly, eight-time world rally champion Ogier protested at the WRC round in Chile by offering only brief replies in stage-end interviews.
"We have been told by the top of the FIA to shut our mouths,"
Ogier later explained, encapsulating the growing tension between drivers and the governing body.
Inconsistent penalties raise questions
The severity of recent language-related penalties has raised eyebrows within the motorsport community.
Team principals Toto Wolff and Frédéric Vasseur received only formal warnings for similar language use in Las Vegas last year, highlighting what some see as inconsistency in the FIA's approach.
Jos Verstappen didn't hold back in his assessment of the situation.
"I don't think the FIA is doing a very good job,"
he stated, before adding with a wry smile,
"But I won't say too much about this!"
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