Max Verstappen makes another jab at the FIA for treating him “like a toddler” in his punishment.
Max Verstappen’s frustrations with the FIA have reignited following his community service punishment for his behavior at the Singapore Grand Prix. The four-time World Champion publicly criticized F1’s governing body for what he described as “punishing him like a toddler.” His punishment involved community service, which he completed in Rwanda, marking an unusual penalty for an incident rooted in his controversial comments.
Verstappen’s 2024 season was otherwise marked by exceptional performances, including his fourth successive World Championship and thrilling battles with rival Lando Norris. However, the swearing controversy in Singapore overshadowed parts of his campaign. During an official FIA press conference, Verstappen suffered a “slip of the tongue,” which led to a summons to the stewards and the subsequent penalty.
The Dutch driver expressed his dissatisfaction by giving curt or “no comment” responses during the post-qualifying and post-race press conferences that weekend. Many of his fellow drivers stood in solidarity with him, including Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, who criticized the FIA’s handling of the situation as overly punitive.
The incident has stirred discussions within the F1 community about the balance between enforcing regulations and allowing drivers the freedom to express themselves without fear of disproportionate consequences.
