The ongoing saga surrounding Max Verstappen’s punishment for swearing during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, with fans and pundits divided over the necessity of the penalty. Now, former F1 driver and current FIA steward, Johnny Herbert, has revealed his role in deciding Verstappen’s penalty and provided insights into the contentious situation.
Herbert, who served as one of the FIA-appointed stewards at Singapore, defended the decision to penalize the reigning champion. Verstappen was hit with a ‘community service’ punishment for using an expletive during a globally broadcast FIA-hosted press conference ahead of the race weekend.
In an exclusive interview, Herbert explained that the issue of swearing in such public settings is not only a violation of the FIA’s code of conduct but also a matter of setting an example for the younger generation of F1 fans. “The press conferences are broadcast around the world. There is more swearing than ever, and a press conference is not the place for it,” Herbert stated.
Herbert acknowledged that many drivers and fans saw the penalty as excessive, particularly given Verstappen’s fiery, outspoken nature. However, he stood by the decision, noting that “most drivers don’t swear” and emphasizing that F1 drivers, as global role models, have a responsibility to maintain professionalism, especially in media settings.
Verstappen’s reaction was immediate and defiant, engaging in a silent protest by giving one-word answers during a subsequent press conference and holding his own impromptu media session in the paddock. Herbert admitted he admired Verstappen’s rebellious streak but insisted, “There is a time and a place.”
Herbert also addressed the broader fallout from the incident, including the tensions sparked by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s controversial remarks about swearing, where he likened the drivers’ language to that of “rappers.” This comment did not sit well with the drivers, especially Lewis Hamilton, who interpreted it as having racial undertones. Herbert countered this perception, explaining, “There is an FIA code about not using foul language,” and pointed out that the comment was not meant as a racial slur but rather a call for professionalism.
As the F1 community wrestles with the implications of this incident, it has sparked a debate about the limits of expression in the sport. Many, including Lando Norris and Hamilton, have openly criticized the penalty as overreach by the FIA. Verstappen, meanwhile, has continued his protest, with the future of his ‘community service’ penalty yet to be determined.
From the FIA’s perspective, Herbert hopes that commonsense will prevail going forward, stating, “There has to be an understanding that both sides need to work together.” He also highlighted that drivers, being role models, must be conscious of their influence on younger fans, asserting, “Drivers have to understand that they are role models.”
The swearing scandal may have ignited a firestorm of controversy, but for Herbert and the FIA, the decision stands as a reflection of the sport’s broader responsibility to uphold certain standards of behavior. As Formula 1 continues to evolve, this incident has raised important questions about the balance between authenticity and professionalism in the world’s most glamorous motorsport.
