Max Verstappen has offered his latest verdict on the FIA’s huge clampdown against swearing, insisting that it is “a bit too much”.
From 2025, motorsport’s governing body has introduced significantly stricter punishments to deter drivers in any FIA-governed championship from swearing.
It was Verstappen saying the f-word during an official FIA press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend last year which appears to have played a part in the clampdown.
The four-time world champion received community service in Rwanda last December as a punishment for swearing in Singapore, whilst drivers will now have much harsher penalties.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem made several changes to the international sporting code which came into effect this year, allowing F1 stewards to impose a €40,000 fine for a first offence of swearing.
Further offences will result in additional fines, as well as potential points deductions and race bans.
WRC driver Adrien Fourmaux became the first driver to be punished under the new rules. He was fined €10,000, whilst a further €20,000 fine was suspended.
RacingNews365 understands foul language will be allowed over the team radio this season but is banned during interviews.
Ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen and Liam Lawson appeared on The Project, where the delicate topic was briefly discussed.
When asked by a co-host if a GoFundMe page could be created to pay the F1 drivers fines for swearing, Verstappen replied initially in a comical nature.
“I think that’s okay,” joked Verstappen, before offering a more serious outlook on the situation, stating: “It’s just a bit silly that we have to deal with these kind of things.”
“And sometimes when you have a lot of adrenaline, things happen, but [given] that it’s actually in the rule book is a bit too much I guess.”
