Max Verstappen will now serve a community service punishment (Image: Getty)
has learned the outcome of his community service penalty, which he received for swearing during a press conference. The Dutchman will work with junior drivers in the Automobile Club’s grassroots programme.
The four-time world champion’s swearing saga was one of the most dramatic off-track happenings in the second half of the season and caused uproar among drivers. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association later released a statement condemning, among other things, the FIA’s handling of the matter.
However, despite Verstappen’s protests, the punishment was upheld, and so the 27-year-old must now head from the season finale in Abu Dhabi to Rwanda, where he will complete his “work of public interest”.
An FIA statement released after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix read: “The FIA has announced the details of ’s ‘work of public interest’ duty linked to the stewards’ penalty for the use of unacceptable language during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix drivers’ press conference.
“Verstappen will travel to the FIA Awards Ceremony, which takes place as part of the General Assemblies next week in Kigali, Rwanda to collect his fourth consecutive FIA Formula One World Championship trophy.
“While in Kigali he will undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club [RAC]. The activity will involve an FIA Affordable Cross Car, which was built locally in Rwanda by the RAC from blueprints provided by the FIA.
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Mohammed Ben Sulayem was heavily criticised for the FIA’s response (Image: Getty)
“Design blueprints for the Level Two category Affordable Cross Car project have been delivered to the global network of 147 National Sporting Authorities [ASNs].”
After he serves his community service penalty and picks up the World Championship trophy for the fourth time in succession, Verstappen will be happy to see the back of the 2024 campaign.
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While he battled through ’ challenge to claim the Drivers’ Championship crown with two races to spare, the season has been anything but straightforward for the Dutchman. Verstappen won just two of the last 14 races, only one of which came in dry conditions, leaving in a worrying position heading into the 2025 campaign.
With and the clear current frontrunners and heading in the right direction, Verstappen faces a significant uphill battle if he is to extend his run of World Championships to five in the new year.