Fri Sep 20 12:36:52 UTC 2024: ## Verstappen Ordered to Perform Community Service for Swearing at Press Conference
**SINGAPORE** – Formula One champion Max Verstappen has been ordered to perform community service after swearing during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix. The incident occurred on Thursday (Sep 19) when the Red Bull driver used an expletive while describing his car’s condition.
Stewards summoned Verstappen on Friday for a breach of the International Sporting Code. While he apologized and claimed the word was considered ordinary in his native language, the stewards emphasized the importance of role models being mindful of their language in public forums.
This is not the first time drivers have been penalized for profanity. However, the stewards decided to impose a harsher penalty this time due to the increasing awareness of this issue among competitors.
The community service will be organized in coordination with the FIA’s secretary general for sport at a later date.
Verstappen’s outburst came after FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem urged drivers to be more mindful of their language, comparing them to rappers who use profanity frequently. Verstappen countered this argument, saying that swearing is a common occurrence and an inevitable part of growing up.
This incident further highlights the FIA’s ongoing efforts to curb swearing in F1 press conferences and on air. Last year, Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff were also warned for similar behavior.
First Piper 