
He Deserves It: FIA Announces Decision on Punishing Max Verstappen for Press Conference Protest Due to…
FIA decide on punishing Max Verstappen for press conference protest
Max Verstappen was clearly still fuming about his punishment for swearing in a press conference when he refused to give proper answers in the FIA media session
Max Verstappen finished P2 at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday (Image: GETTY)
Max Verstappen need not worry about any extra backlash from the FIA following his remarkable press conference protest.
After qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen declined to provide short responses during the FIA media session.
Instead, he informed journalists that he would converse with them in greater length outside the room and only offered brief one or two-word replies to all questions.
The 26-year-old’s protest was against a community service-style punishment imposed on him for using profanity in another press conference on Thursday.
According to FIA regulations, the stewards had no option but to penalise Verstappen.
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Verstappen’s behaviour in the post-qualifying press conference could have provoked further ire from the governing body. Nico Rosberg, a pundit on Sky Sports, openly speculated whether Verstappen might be facing another penalty.
However, the FIA has clarified that there will be no additional sanctions for Verstappen regarding his conduct at the press conference.
When asked this specific question, a spokesperson responded: “No, he took part in the FIA press conference as required by the procedures.”
Verstappen’s stance received some backing from his fellow racers Lando Norris, who qualified on pole and won the race on Sunday, humorously suggested that the Red Bull driver “deserved it”.
He then chuckled and provided his genuine opinion: “I think it’s pretty unfair. I don’t agree with any of it.”
Max Verstappen gave short answers to journalists in the FIA press conference (Image: Getty Images)
Lewis Hamilton, who started P3 but finished sixth, was particularly critical of the situation as he urged his former competitor to ignore the FIA’s sanctions.
He commented: “I think it’s a bit of a joke, to be honest. This is the pinnacle of the sport. Mistakes are made. I certainly won’t be doing it, and I hope Max doesn’t do it.”
Meanwhile, outside the official FIA session, Verstappen stayed true to his word to talk with the press and, when questioned about the penalty, he said: “It’s just ridiculous, to get a penalty for that.
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