Max Verstappen has hinted at the possibility of leaving Formula One due to his frustration with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The world champion expressed his discontent with the governing body's handling of the sport, particularly their focus on minor issues like drivers swearing, for which he was penalized during the Singapore Grand Prix.
Verstappen finished second at the Marina Bay circuit, trailing McLaren's Lando Norris, who reduced the gap in the championship to 52 points. Post-race, Verstappen criticized the FIA, mentioning his community service punishment for swearing during a pre-race press conference where he referred to his car as 'fucked'. Verstappen had already voiced his displeasure and, when questioned about the impact of such disputes on his future in the sport, he was clear: 'For sure, yeah.' He added, 'These kinds of things definitely decide my future as well. When you can’t be yourself, you have to deal with these kinds of silly things. Now I’m at a stage of my career that I don’t want to be dealing with this all the time. It’s really tiring.'
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had previously stated his opposition to drivers swearing, comparing it unfavorably to rap artists. Lewis Hamilton criticized this stance, suggesting it was influenced by racial bias and stereotyping. Both Norris and Verstappen felt Ben Sulayem's focus on such trivial matters was unnecessary.
Verstappen's reaction to his punishment included minimal engagement during the FIA press conference, choosing instead to speak more freely with journalists outside the official session. After the race, he continued this approach, providing only brief responses during the press conference but engaging more fully afterward.
Despite his success, Verstappen feels the FIA is diminishing the enjoyment of racing. 'Of course it’s great to have success and win races, but once you have accomplished all that, winning championships and races, then you want to just have a good time as well,' he said. 'Everyone is pushing to the limit. Everyone in this battle, even at the back of the grid. But if you have to deal with all these kind of silly things: for me, that is not a way of continuing in the sport, that’s for sure.'
Hamilton, who finished sixth in Singapore, dismissed the FIA's stance as 'a joke' and advised Verstappen not to comply with his punishment. The FIA has not yet commented on Verstappen's remarks, prompting him to question their seriousness about potentially losing a world champion. 'I don’t know how seriously they will take that kind of stuff but for me, at one point, when it’s enough, it’s enough,' he said. 'We’ll see. Everything will go on, I have no doubt. It’s not a problem because Formula One will go on without me, but it’s also not a problem for me. So it’s how it is.'
Following the race, both Mercedes drivers, Hamilton and George Russell, withdrew from their media duties due to 'borderline heatstroke'. The 62-lap race in Singapore is one of the most demanding on the calendar, with high heat and humidity. Both drivers received medical attention after the race.
Toto Wolff, the team principal, explained: 'They did not feel well, borderline heatstroke or something like that but they have had water. They would not have been able to go to the [media] pen. There were no bad feelings or any annoyance. It is just that we had the doctors with them. But they are all good.'
