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.
