Norris and Hamilton support Verstappen / Formula 1

Following the FIA penalty for a profanity directed at Max Verstappen, two prominent drivers have come forward to support him. Lando Norris described the penalty as “unfair,” while Lewis Hamilton went even further in his criticism.

Drivers speak out against a penalty…

Max Verstappen received a penalty from the FIA for using the F-word during a press conference on Thursday when discussing his car’s setup: community service.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is committed to reducing strong language in the sport. This initiative has sparked controversial discussions among drivers and team managers, with mixed reactions—some are quite opposed.

After the widely criticized penalty imposed on Verstappen, two leading drivers have expressed their support for him: Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton both harshly condemned the penalty during the press conference following qualifying for the top three drivers.

When asked about the punishment, Lando Norris joked about the community service, saying, “He deserves it,” which elicited laughter in the press room. However, he soon grew serious, stating, “I think it’s pretty unfair. I don’t agree with any of it.”

Lewis Hamilton took it a step further, stating, “It’s honestly a joke. This is the premier class of sport. Mistakes happen. I certainly wouldn’t do that, and I hope Max doesn’t either.”

Max Verstappen briefly addressed a few initial questions from the moderator at the press conference. In response to a reporter’s question, he mentioned that he would prefer to talk with the media outside the conference room. Consequently, he held his media session outside following the official FIA press conference.

Even when asked about an FIA penalty concerning crossing the track for Carlos Sainz—a penalty that both Norris and Hamilton have previously faced—the reactions to the FIA rules appeared tense…

Qualifying, Singapore

01. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:29.525
02. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:29.728
03. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:29.841
04. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:29.867
05. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:29.953
06. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:30.115
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:30.214
08. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:30.354
09. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, without time in Q3
10. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, no time in Q3
11. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:30.474
12. Franco Colapinto (RA), Williams, 1:30.481
13. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:30.579
14. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:30.653
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:30.769
16. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bulls, 1:31.985
17. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:31.094
18. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:31.312
19. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 1:31.572
20. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 1:32.054

Driver Reactions to FIA Penalty for Max Verstappen

Driver protests against a penalty are making headlines in the world of Formula 1. Following Max Verstappen’s recent penalty for using a swear word during a press conference, two top drivers, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, have come out in support of the Dutch champion, claiming that the punishment is unjust.

Understanding the Penalty

Max Verstappen used the F-word while discussing his car setup in a Thursday press conference, resulting in a controversial penalty from the FIA, which mandated community service. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is pushing for a reduction in strong language within the sport, an initiative that has prompted mixed reactions among the drivers and team officials, many of whom find it excessive.

Support from Fellow Drivers

In the aftermath of Verstappen’s penalty, both Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton have voiced their dissent regarding the FIA’s decision. Their comments came during the press conference after qualifying, where they expressed their thoughts candidly.

Lando Norris on the FIA Decision

When asked about the punishment, Lando Norris lightened the mood with a joke, saying, “He deserves it,” which provoked laughter in the press room. However, he quickly shifted to a serious tone, asserting, “I think it’s pretty unfair. I don’t agree with any of it.” Norris’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among many drivers who believe that the FIA’s approach may be overly stringent.

Lewis Hamilton Takes a Strong Stance

Lewis Hamilton went further in his criticism, stating, “It’s honestly a joke. This is the premier class of sport. Mistakes are made. I certainly wouldn’t do that, and I hope Max doesn’t do that.” Hamilton’s remarks point to the pressures that drivers face and the unpredictable nature of competitive racing.

Max Verstappen’s Response

Max Verstappen, in the press conference, took a measured approach, responding briefly to inquiries. He later expressed a preference for discussing media matters outside the press conference setting, indicating his discomfort about the current media regime. Following the official FIA press conference, he engaged with media personnel in a more informal manner.

The Reaction to FIA Regulations

The FIA regulations have come under scrutiny in the aftermath of recent penalties, not just limited to Verstappen. For instance, both Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton faced penalties for track violations, revealing a pattern of frustration among drivers regarding FIA rule enforcement.

Qualifying Results in Singapore

The competitive spirit remains high as the drivers gear up for the next race. Below are the qualifying results from Singapore:

Position	Driver	Team	Time (s)
1	Lando Norris	McLaren	1:29.525
2	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing	1:29.728
3	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	1:29.841
4	George Russell	Mercedes	1:29.867
5	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	1:29.953
6	Nico Hülkenberg	Haas	1:30.115
7	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	1:30.214
8	Yuki Tsunoda	Racing Bulls	1:30.354
9	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	No time in Q3
10	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	No time in Q3
11	Alex Albon	Williams	1:30.474
12	Franco Colapinto	Williams	1:30.481
13	Sergio Pérez	Red Bull Racing	1:30.579
14	Kevin Magnussen	Haas	1:30.653
15	Esteban Ocon	Alpine	1:30.769
16	Daniel Ricciardo	Racing Bulls	1:31.985
17	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	1:31.094
18	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	1:31.312
19	Valtteri Bottas	Sauber	1:31.572
20	Guanyu Zhou	Sauber	1:32.054

The Bigger Picture

The controversy surrounding the FIA penalty reflects a broader conversation about the role of driver expression within Formula 1. As regulations evolve and penalties become more stringent, the relationship between drivers, the FIA, and fans continues to develop. Both Norris and Hamilton’s reactions highlight the underlying frustration that can arise from perceived overreach in regulating language and behavior in sports.