SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – SEPTEMBER 20: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 20, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
Christian Horner has suggested that the FIA might have handled the swearing controversy with a lighter touch, drawing parallels to a historical episode involving the late Duke of Edinburgh.
The Singapore Grand Prix was overshadowed by Verstappen’s use of the F-word during a media session, which escalated into headline news after he received a form of community service as punishment for his language.
Verstappen acknowledged that the stewards were bound by regulations but expressed frustration at the FIA’s approach to drivers’ use of expletives. In subsequent press conferences, he made a point by responding to queries with minimalistic answers.
‘s team boss Horner opined that the response to the incident was overblown. He highlighted the case by referencing an occasion when Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was heard using coarse language in public.
Horner remarked: “I think Max has made his feelings clear on it. Of course, all these drivers are role models, but language that’s used in everyday life, I think it would have been perhaps better dealt with slightly differently”.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem walks in the paddock ahead of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix on May 26, 2024 at the Circuit de Monaco. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“It would have avoided any awkwardness. He is a driver for whom English is not his native tongue, and we’ve seen members of the Royal Family telling photographers to ‘take a f***ing photo’, so reactions need to be relative.”
Jos Verstappen, the former F1 driver and father of current star , expressed his dissatisfaction with the FIA during an interview at the East Belgian Rally: “I think that is the most ridiculous thing, but we also see it in rally. I don’t think the FIA is doing a very good job – but I won’t say too much about this.”
Mohammed ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, touched upon the issue of drivers’ language before the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, urging them to maintain decorum. He robustly defended the institution against criticism, as he spoke to Autosport: “We’ll only get rubbish, that I know. When you look at it, everybody made money out of the FIA, everyone except the FIA. Everyone gets the credit, except the FIA. It’s true – when I took over, we had a running operating cost of minus 20 million… The regulations and the governance is the FIA, and then, let everyone make money.”
Ben Sulayem went on to say: “Let the drivers have fun, race in a safe way and make money. And let the team principals make more money – they are. But the FIA will never get the credit. Impossible.”