Max Verstappen drops FIA protest notice after press conference approach questioned

Max Verstappen doesn't rule out continuing his protest by giving short, one-sentence answers in FIA press conferences following his punishment for swearing in Singapore.

Just hours after FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem cracked down on swear words and declared that F1 drivers are “not rappers” who “say the F-word how many times a minute,” Verstappen swore during Thursday's press conference at the racetrack Marina Bay.

Max Verstappen is undecided about continuing the FIA ​​protest

The Red Bull driver called his RB20 “shitty” and was charged with “misconduct” for using a word that was “widely considered 'coarse, rude' or could be 'offensive' and would be considered unsuitable for use.” Radiance”.

Found guilty, his punishment was ordered to “carry out work of public interest”.

The Red Bull driver was angered by the punishment, which he described as “ridiculous”, and protested during the post-qualifying press conference, giving only short, one-sentence answers.

Instead, he told the media gathered Saturday night that he would speak to them outside the room.

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“I obviously think it’s ridiculous what happened,” he explained. “Then why should I give complete answers? Then I prefer not to speak much and protect my voice.

“I mean, we can do the interviews somewhere else if you need answers to the questions asked.”

He continued the protest after the Grand Prix and again only gave short, one-sentence answers. But by doing so he ensured that he would not face any further punishment while he was there, which was mandatory since he had come second in the race, and he answered every question, just not thoroughly.

Verstappen is not sure whether he will continue his protest at the next race, the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

“I mean, let’s take a break from everyday life first,” he said. “They know it from Formula 1 and are trying it again in Austin. Look what we’re getting at.”

When asked if he would take a call from Ben Sulayem, he evaded and said: “I will always be myself.” In any case, I will not change how I am in my life, but also how I act here .”

He also refused to say whether he was even willing to speak to the FIA ​​president.

“I think it depends not only on the FIA, but also on Formula 1 as a whole, how we work together,” he replied.

He hopes that the FIA ​​​​and Formula 1 will give in and that “it won’t stay like this.”

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