Following the Thursday FIA Driver Press Conference leading up to the Singapore Grand Prix Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was called to the stewards for using foul language to describe the state of the Red Bull car. Later that day the Stewards found Verstappen in breach of the International Sporting Code (Article 12.2.1.k) and decided that the Red Bull Driver would need to complete some work of public interest.
The Stewards decision sparked a lot of talk inside and outside the paddock. Now former F1 driver and pundit Johnny Herbert, who was one of the Stewards behind the decision to punish Verstappen, came out and gave some insights to CasinoHawks into the discussion with Verstappen and his thought’s on swearing which Herbert claims there is too much of.
“The press conferences are beamed around the world.
“There is more swearing than there ever has been. A press conference is not the place for it.
“Some journalists have said the sport is trying to make robots out of the drivers. That’s not the case. You are just asking them not to swear which I think is the right thing. Most drivers don’t swear.
“The incident was referred to us as stewards and we had a good open chat with Max for about 20 minutes, half-an-hour, in what was a difficult situation.
“You could see in his face he was really worked up about it. But when he left, he appeared to be mollified about the process and why it’s there. He did not blame us as stewards.
“It all blew up afterwards because he went to the press conference and gave one-word answers then held his own impromptu press conference outside in the paddock.
“That showed Max’s rebellious streak. I love that side of him, it is what makes Max, Max, his honest and outspoken character. But there is a time and a place.
“Personally, I think there is too much swearing. I don’t want my five-year-old grandchild listening to that sort of language.”
In the days leading up to the Singapore Grand Prix, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem had made similar comments regarding the overuse of swear words in F1. The FIA presidents comments however sparked controversy when he compared the Drivers use of foul language during the broadcasts to rap music.
“We have to differentiate between our sport and rap music,” he told Autosport.
The racial undertones of Ben Sulayem’ comments did not sit well with the drivers, especially Lewis Hamilton.
“That [Ben Sulayem’s comments] did not go down very well with the drivers who were antagonised, especially Lewis who felt it was a racial slur.”
The decision to penalise Verstappen did not sit well. McLaren driver Lando Norris added that the decision to penalise Verstappen was “pretty unfair” and that he didn’t “agree with any of it.”
Lewis Hamilton also backed the Dutchman and hopes the 27-year-old won’t do community service.
“The drivers were not happy about it. They all bandied together with Max. I have noticed that the drivers are a much closer-knit bunch than I have seen for many years. They have much stronger opinions on issues.
“Swearing is something Ben Sulayem is wanting to stamp out. You can’t so much in the heat of the moment during a race in the car when emotion comes out.”
While it is certainly easier for the drivers to be mindful of their words during press conferences or interviews, it needs to be considered that F1 is the only sport in which we get to hear a drivers live reaction to whatever is happening out on track, whether it’s a positive one or a heat of the moment swear word about a missed opportunity when chasing the fastest time, a close call or accident.
Having this in mind it will thus prove difficult for the FIA, headed by Ben Sulayem, to eradicate swearing. It also remains to be seen how the drivers, who reportedly are having talks about Verstappen’s penalty, will react once F1 returns at the United States Grand Prix in two weeks time.
