Max Verstappen has hinted that he might leave Formula One due to frustrations with how the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) manages the sport, particularly their focus on what he deems trivial matters like penalizing drivers for swearing. This dissatisfaction surfaced after Verstappen was penalized at the Singapore Grand Prix for using inappropriate language during a pre-race press conference. He had described his car as “fucked,” resulting in the FIA handing him a community service punishment.
Verstappen finished second at the Singapore race, trailing McLaren’s Lando Norris, which trimmed his championship lead to 52 points. After the race, Verstappen took aim at the FIA’s actions, expressing frustration with their decision to punish him for something he viewed as insignificant. When asked if such issues might influence his future in the sport, the 26-year-old did not hesitate. “For sure, yeah,” he responded. “These things definitely affect my future. When you can’t be yourself and have to deal with such silly things, it becomes exhausting.”
The FIA’s stance on swearing had been made clear prior to the race weekend by their president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who criticized the practice and even compared it to rap artists, a comment that sparked controversy. Lewis Hamilton, among others, dismissed the remark, suggesting it was rooted in racial stereotyping. Verstappen, along with other drivers, also believed that the FIA’s focus on such trivial matters was unnecessary.
Verstappen’s punishment came after he swore during Thursday’s press conference. In response, he served his penalty by attending the FIA’s post-qualifying press conference on Saturday, but he offered only brief, monosyllabic answers. Outside of the FIA’s official setting, however, he engaged with journalists more openly in the paddock.
After the race on Sunday, Verstappen maintained his minimal engagement during the press conference but again spoke more freely with reporters afterward. Despite his success in Formula One, having secured three world titles and being on track for a fourth, Verstappen revealed that the FIA’s approach was draining the joy from the sport for him. “Of course, it’s great to have success and win races, but after you’ve achieved that, you just want to enjoy yourself,” he said. “If you constantly have to deal with such silly things, it’s not a way I want to continue in the sport, that’s for sure.”
Hamilton, who finished sixth in Singapore, also criticized the FIA’s stance, calling it “a joke” and even advising Verstappen to ignore his punishment, stating he would do the same if he were in Verstappen’s position. So far, the FIA has remained silent on Verstappen’s comments or his behavior during the press conference.
Verstappen speculated whether the FIA would take his grievances seriously, doubting they would consider the risk of losing a reigning world champion. “I don’t know if they’ll take this seriously, but for me, at some point, enough is enough,” he stated. “Formula One will continue without me, and that’s fine, but it won’t be a problem for me either. That’s just how it is.”
The Singapore Grand Prix also took a physical toll on other drivers, notably Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who finished fourth. Both drivers skipped their media obligations after the race, suffering from what their team described as “borderline heatstroke.” The race is known for being one of the toughest on the calendar, with 62 laps and 19 corners, all in extreme heat and humidity. On Sunday, track temperatures reached 37°C, and for the first time in the race’s history, no safety car was deployed, leaving the drivers with no chance for respite.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, confirmed that both Hamilton and Russell were medically treated after the race. “They were on the verge of heatstroke but have rehydrated. They weren’t able to do media duties, but there are no hard feelings. They’re doing fine now,” Wolff said.
Max Verstappen threatens to quit F1 after ‘silly’ punishment for swearing
