Verstappen hints at early F1 retirement after FIA punishment

Max Verstappen has hinted that his punishment for swearing during an FIA press conference on Thursday ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix could result in an early retirement from F1. 

The reigning world champion was punished by the FIA on Friday after stating on Thursday that Red Bull had “f****d” his car in Azerbaijan. 

Verstappen was effectively handed community service by the governing body, with the FIA officially stating that he holds an “obligation to accomplish some work of public interest”.

After qualifying in second place on Saturday, Verstappen attended the FIA press conference and gave blunt answers. 

On top of that, he stated he would prefer to speak to the media outside, which he did, holding an impromptu media huddle in the paddock.

Following the race where Verstappen also finished second, he once again gave short answers in the press conference and agreed to speak to the media outside for the second consecutive day.

When outside speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, Verstappen was asked whether the FIA punishing him for swearing could trigger an early retirement.

 “Oh, for sure,” Verstappen answered. “I mean, these kind of things definitely decide my future as well. 

“You can’t be yourself, or you have to deal with these kind of silly things. I think now, I’m at the stage of my career that you don’t want to be dealing with this all the time. It’s really tiring. 

“Of course, it’s great to have success and win races, but once you have accomplished all that, winning championships and races, you want to just have a good time as well. 

“Of course, everyone is pushing to the limit. Everyone in this battle, even at the back of the grid. But if you have to deal with all these kind of silly things, for me, that is another way of [not] continuing in the sport.”