In a bold statement indicating his unwavering commitment to his profession, reigning World Champion Max Verstappen stated that he wouldn’t skip a race in the 2025 F1 season even if it conflicted with the birth of his first child. The remark, made with a hint of irony, was a response to the FIA’s recent crackdown on swearing, a disciplinary action that could result in race bans.
Verstappen, renowned for his fierce competitiveness on the track, found himself in hot water during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had initiated a campaign to eliminate swearing from the series, and Verstappen was caught in the crossfire. After swearing during a press conference, he was ordered to carry out community service in Rwanda, a duty he fulfilled as part of the 2024 FIA prize-giving gala.
The FIA’s crackdown continues unabated into the 2025 season, with drivers warned of severe consequences for swearing. The punishment for a third swearing misconduct offence is a hefty fine of $127,000 and a one-month suspension. This stringent policy has raised eyebrows and stirred debate among the F1 fraternity.
Adding fuel to the fire, during the third and final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, an onboard camera on Verstappen’s Red Bull RB21 seemed to capture him gesturing with his middle finger as he drove down the pit lane. The incident, which occurred near the Williams pit wall, has added a layer of uncertainty to the situation. However, the exact context and reason for Verstappen’s gesture remain unclear.
In an interview with Dutch publication Algemeen Dagblad, Verstappen made light of the possibility of a race ban due to swearing. When asked if he might miss a race for the birth of his first child, he quipped that he was more likely to be forced to miss a race due to a swearing penalty.
Verstappen and his partner, Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet, are expecting their first child in 2025. Despite the imminent arrival of his firstborn, Verstappen emphasized his dedication to his career, saying, “It’s possible [that I could miss a race], but I won’t do it.”
He candidly remarked that being a Formula 1 driver meant you couldn’t take time off. “I’m not the one who gives birth,” he said, underlining his commitment to his profession. Verstappen also joked about the possibility of accumulating too many penalty points for swearing that could result in a suspension.
In addition to his lighthearted jabs at the FIA’s swearing policy, Verstappen also needs to be cautious about his FIA Superlicence, as he currently stands at eight penalty points. Should he accrue 12 points, he will face a one-race ban. No points will be deducted from his current tally before the end of June, adding another layer of complexity to his 2025 F1 season.