Why Max Verstappen wasn't punished for middle finger gesture despite F1 swearing ban

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Max Verstappen was caught showing the middle finger to a rival racing driver on the final day of Formula 1 pre-season testing.

However, the reigning world champion will not be penalised over the incident despite the FIA’s introduction of a controversial swearing ban.

The 2025 F1 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks, with the three-day pre-season testing in Bahrain wrapping up last Friday.

There were a number of bizarre incidents during the test, including when a window fell onto the track and halted running, but eagle-eyed fans also spotted Verstappen briefly flipping the bird at someone as he drove through the pit-lane on Friday morning.

It was initially thought that the middle finger was aimed at a photographer but reports have since claimed its target was Williams junior driver Luke Browning, who was on the pitwall and is said to be close friends with the Red Bull star.

Ahead of the new season, motorsport’s governing body introduced harsh regulations which will punish drivers for swearing during a race weekend, a policy masterminded by the divisive FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

F1 stars have made it very clear they do not agree with the regulations, with drivers set to be fined €10,000 (£8,257) for a first offence, while repeated offences could lead to a one-month suspension and points deductions.

However, it was confirmed over the weekend that Verstappen will receive no punishment for this incident, as the FIA will not penalise drivers for any offensive language or gestures made while in their car.

An FIA spokesperson has been quotes as saying: ‘This happened “on the field” and is therefore different from an official interview setting.’

Drivers will have to be on their best behaviour when speaking in the media pens or in the official FIA press conferences held before the weekend and after qualifying and the race.

But fans were also left baffled that British star George Russell escaped punishment after he used some colourful language during an interview with Viaplay on the first day of testing.

Following a power cut at the Bahrain International Circuit that brought the red flag out, the Mercedes driver said: ‘I came out the pits, I went on the radio, I said “Guys, I need to change the visor. It’s a bit dark out here”.

‘And then I realised, “Ah, s**t, there’s no lights on…”.’

Such language would ordinarily see Russell fined but pre-season testing is not overseen by FIA stewards and therefore this incident falls outside their purview.

As co-director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GDPA), Russell has been one of the leading voices against the swearing ban, recently saying: ‘The sport's in an amazing place at the moment, but there's still things behind the scenes that we're sort of treading on eggshells.

‘I think we've got to ensure that the racing stays good, it stays competitive, the fans are enjoying what they're seeing, and then it's just not becoming too automated, and drivers still can show their personalities.

‘There's a bit going on about swearing at the moment, which again, I'm not one who swears very often, but a lot of these drivers, English isn't their first language.

‘So it's not easy for a Japanese driver or whatever, coming into the sport and doesn't know the potential offence he may be causing, but then to be punished so deeply, as I said, people will be treading on eggshells. It's going too far.’

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