Max Verstappen hits back after F1 drivers are given 'swearing ban' by FIA president
09/19/2024 08:37 AM
Max Verstappen has blasted FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem after he called for Formula One drivers to watch their language while they race.
Swear words – albeit bleeped out – have become commonplace during F1 weekends thanks to broadcasters’ increased access to driver/team radios.
It is not surprising given the massive amounts of adrenaline and the high-speed nature of the sport, but while Ben Sulayem understands this point, he feels that drivers and broadcasters have a responsibility to set an example.
‘We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music,’ he told Autosport.
‘We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].
‘I know, I was a driver. In the heat of the moment, when you think you are upset because another driver came to you and pushed you. But also, we have to be careful with our conduct. We need to be responsible people.
‘Because imagine you are sitting with your children and watching the race and then someone is saying all of this dirty language. I mean, what would your children or grandchildren say? What would you teach them if that is your sport?’
Ben Sulayem went onto confirm that the FIA have asked that Formula One Management limit the usage of team radio containing bad language in future TV broadcasts.
But championship leader Verstappen, well-known and sometimes criticised for his sweary outbursts on the radio, believes it is a ridiculous request.
‘A lot of people say a lot of bad things when they are full of adrenaline in other sports, it just doesn’t get picked up,’ he said in the pre-Singapore Grand Prix press conference on Thursday.
‘I couldn’t even say the f word… It’s not even that bad. What are we 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds?’
Ironically, just minutes before he said this Verstappen swore to reporters when describing the state of his Red Bull car at the last race in Azerbaijan.
‘I knew the car was f***d’, the three-time champion bluntly stated, prompting an apology from the press conference’s host Tom Clarkson.
More to follow…
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