Talking completely to Motorsport.com, Jos Verstappen slammed the mandated neighborhood service that Max Verstappen obtained in Singapore for swearing in an official FIA press convention.
Max Verstappen was penalised by the stewards for utilizing the phrase ‘fucked’ through the Thursday press convention earlier than the Singapore Grand Prix.
“I feel that’s the most ridiculous factor”, Jos Verstappen informed Motorsport.com on the East Belgian Rally, by which he and his co-driver Renaud Jamoul completed fourth on Saturday.
“However we additionally see it in rally,” the previous Grand Prix driver continued, referring to the suspended €30,000 advantageous that was given to WRC driver Sébastien Ogier for feedback he directed at officers on the Acropolis Rally in Greece earlier this month.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA, with official representatives on the grid
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
Earlier this 12 months, FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem posted an announcement on Instagram, stating that the textual content within the Worldwide Sporting Code has been amended after ‘current investigations have proven that there’s a direct hyperlink between destructive feedback from drivers and group members and elevated hate directed in the direction of officers on social media.’
Extra not too long ago, Ben Sulayem informed Motorsport.com in an unique interview that he would really like the drivers to be extra conscious of the language they use. “We should be accountable folks”, he stated.
“I do not assume the FIA is doing an excellent job”, stated Jos Verstappen in Belgium, earlier than including with a wry smile: “However I will not say an excessive amount of about this!”
His son hasn’t stated a lot, both. In Singapore, three-time world champion Max Verstappen made clear how he felt about his punishment by giving very brief solutions to the questions requested through the official press conferences on Saturday and Sunday, earlier than leaving the room and providing longer responses to the press exterior to protest the FIA’s ruling.
Ogier, an eight-time world rally champion, protested in the same manner on the WRC spherical in Chile this weekend. The Frenchman solely gave brief replies in stage-end interviews.
“We’ve been informed by the highest of the FIA to close our mouths”, Ogier defined later.
For context, current penalties for language have been extra extreme than what others had beforehand obtained for swearing in an official press convention. For example, group principals Toto Wolff and Frédéric Vasseur have been handed formal warnings in Las Vegas final 12 months for utilizing comparable language.
