F1’s tedious furore over swearing reflects badly on both sides · RaceFans

There is no aspect to Max Verstappen’s row with the FIA over his use of a swear word three days ago which fails to inspire despair.

Not only in FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem, whom for many inevitably fills the role of villain in this story. But also the driver, for his graceless reaction to it. Not to mention anyone who focused on this mindlessly trivial non-issue to the exclusion of all else.

When Ben Sulayem remarked earlier this week he would like to hear less swearing from drivers’ radios, it was clear he’d found a hobbyhorse to rival his former preoccupation with that other great evil, drivers wearing jewellery. But at least his 2022 crusade could be regarded as an issue of safety, however clumsily the matter was handled.

Showing how little had been learned from that episode, Ben Sulayem framed his objection to swearing with a poorly-phrased reference to “rappers”. For some, notably Lewis Hamilton, that carried racial implications which were much more concerning than a simple ‘F-bomb’.

But Ben Sulayem had issued a warning, one which Verstappen either failed to see or chose to ignore. Speaking in Thursday’s official FIA press conference he described his car as “fucked”, a word choice which was as guaranteed to provoke a reaction as if he’d crept up behind a gorilla and poked it with a stick. Sure enough, on Friday the FIA announced he would be required to perform an act of “public work” to atone for the gaffe.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a story about the FIA’s enforcement of its rules without a glaring example of inconsistency. In the FIA press conference following the Monaco Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc used the same word Verstappen did. The FIA transcribed his comments and posted them on its website, where they have remained for the past four months, apparently without offending anyone. The FIA has not responded to RaceFans’ query why one comment provoked a penalty and the other was ignored.

But recent precedent exists which shows the FIA take this seriously. At the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year, Ferrari and Mercedes team principals Frederic Vasseur and Toto Wolff were dinged for the same thing as Verstappen. The pair took their ‘naughty schoolboy’ tellings-off on the chin. The same could not be said of the world champion.

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

A simple acknowledgement that a mistake had been made could have helped drawn a line under this. Instead Verstappen made the risible argument that “the word used is ordinary in speech as he learned it, English not being his native language,” according to the stewards. The Red Bull PR machine is a highly professional operation – the entire company exists to market cans of soft drink – and the claim it has left arguably its most famous spokesperson ignorant of such a basic fact is more than dubious.

According to the stewards “Verstappen apologised for his behaviour”. However he gave little sign of any contrition in public, decrying his penalty as “ridiculous” and refusing to give substantive answers in his next appearance at an FIA press conference.

It is neither surprising nor unreasonable that an organisation should require its participants to conduct themselves professionally when representing them in an official capacity. Verstappen does himself no credit by pretending he does not realise this.

Likewise, as the FIA apparently cares so deeply about press conference profanity, it should apply its rules consistently. Failing to do so makes them appear bumbling at best and, at worst, out to make an example of Verstappen.

Moreover, the governing body has invited ridicule with the president’s implication that drivers, while under peak stress in racing conditions, should think first about moderating their language on their radios.

The FIA has already begun prosecuting drivers for insulting or offensive statements made on the radio. But trying to prosecute drivers for merely swearing in these circumstances would be a ludicrous overreach.

| Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

It would also be entirely unnecessary. F1 already has an acceptable status quo as far as radio messages go.

Most drivers are probably always going to let a few swear words fly, some more than others. Formula One Management already applies not one but two levels of censorship to their every utterance. Messages which go out on the world feed are ‘bleeped’ as required.

Much of this has been overlooked amid the predictable and tedious furore the Verstappen case has provoked on social media and beyond. An argument so needless, so petty and so trivial it makes you want to swear.

Comment

Browse all comment articles