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Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor
SINGAPORE — Max Verstappen refused to give full answers during a post-qualifying press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix in an apparent protest against the governing body’s decision to penalise him for swearing during Thursday’s media session.
The three-time world champion was given F1’s version of community service after using the word “f—ed” during Thursday’s official FIA press conference.
After qualifying in second place on Saturday evening in Singapore, he was required to attend the FIA’s post-qualifying press conference to answer questions about the session.
He gave seven brief answers to individual questions, before telling journalists “I would prefer if you ask these questions outside the [press conference] room.”
When the session, which included Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, came to an end, Verstappen agreed to talk to journalists outside of the room, which is located in the main pit building.
Due to his commitment to go to speak to TV broadcasters after the press conference, an FIA representative prevented him from talking to journalists directly outside the room and instead Verstappen answered questions as he walked down stairs from the media centre to the TV pen.
Asked if his short answers were some kind of protest over his penalty, Verstappen said: “I find it of course ridiculous what happened.
“So why should I then give full answers because it is very easy, apparently, that you get a fine or some sort of penalty?
“So I prefer then not to speak a lot, save my voice, and of course we can do the interviews also somewhere else.”
Following Thursday’s press conference, Verstappen was summoned to the stewards office over his language where the panel of four stewards deemed he had breached the International Sporting Code.
They ordered the Red Bull driver to “accomplish some work of public interest” as a penalty, which differs from previous decisions in F1 over the use of profanities that resulted in formal warnings or financial penalties.
“They want to set a precedent,” Verstappen said on Saturday. “People got warnings or a little fine [in the past] and now with me they want to set an even bigger example I guess, which for me is a bit weird of course because I didn’t swear at anyone particularly, I just said one thing about my car.
“It’s in the code, you know? They have to follow the book and it’s not the stewards, I don’t want to blame this on the stewards because I actually had a really good chat with them and they need to follow the code, the book. I think they are quite understanding, but it’s difficult for them as well.”
The penalty followed comments made this week by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said he wanted a clampdown on driver swearing.
“We’re not rappers, you know,” Ben Sulayem told Autosport. “They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”
When Verstappen was asked on Saturday how he felt about being penalised for expressing his feelings, the Red Bull driver said: “I mean, honestly, I think what I said wasn’t that bad.
“Of course, I get that if you aim it at someone that’s bad.
“Emotions can run high, but it’s still not OK, I understand that. But I felt like it was quite ridiculous what was given to me.”
Norris and Hamilton were sat alongside Verstappen in the FIA press conference and answered questions in solidarity with their fellow driver.
“I think it’s a bit of a joke to be honest,” Hamilton said. “This is the pinnacle of the sport. Mistakes are made. I certainly wouldn’t be doing it [the community service] and I hope Max doesn’t do it”
Norris added: “I think it’s pretty unfair, I don’t agree with any of it, so, yep.”
Verstappen’s full post-qualifying press conference transcript
Question: How sweet does this front row feel?
Verstappen: “Yeah, I’m very happy with second today after yesterday. I want to say also a big thank you to the team for continuing to push through the weekend to keep making the car better for me. So yeah. Very happy to be on the front row.”
Question: What did you change overnight?
Verstappen: “A lot.”
Question: Can you elaborate?
Verstappen: “No. I might get fined, or get an extra day. So.”
Question: Are you confident with the race pace?
Verrstappen: “Maybe.”
Question: How much of a step into the unknown is the race given practice problems?
Verstappen: “It’s an unknown. Yep.”
Question: Tell us about…
Verstappen: “This is not towards you, don’t worry. I don’t want to upset you.”
Question: Tell us about lining up alongside Lando tomorrow?
Verstappen: “We’ll find out tomorrow.”
Question: How much of the changes were learning about Baku problems? Balance between driver and car breakthrough?
Verstappen: “I would prefer if you ask these questions outside the room.”
Question: Will you talk to us outside the room?
[Verstappen gives a thumb up sign]
Question: What happens if behavior triggers another penalty? More community service?
Verstappen: “No comment.”
Question: How long do you anticipate you won’t be giving answers in the FIA press conference for?
Verstappen: “I’m answering. Just not a lot. Problem with my voice.”