F-word debate in F1 escalates
Max Verstappen will not be silenced
20.09.2024, 16:23
FIA President Ben Sulayem wants to keep the drivers quiet. World champion Verstappen is punished, but refuses to let his mouth be shut. His predecessor Hamilton attacks the FIA boss and brings out the big guns.
Max Verstappen has been punished for his casual use of the “F-word”. The Formula 1 world champion, who responded to the debate about adult language on Thursday with a weary smile and dismissed it as childish nonsense, must now do community service. This was decided by the stewards of the premier class in Singapore.
Verstappen had to do a “work of public interest” because he used the word “fucked” in the press conference on Thursday to describe the performance of his car. According to the International Automobile Federation FIA, this is “language that is generally considered rude, impolite or offensive”. It is “not suitable for broadcast” and a “violation of Article 20 and Article 12.2.1.k. of the International Sporting Code”.
Verstappen apologized for his comments. His argument that English was not his native language and that the term was not meant to be offensive is only partially convincing. He must be aware of his role model function when he appears in public and especially when he is not under pressure, according to the FIA. It was considered a mitigating factor that Verstappen did not target any individuals or groups with his wording.
Hamilton attacks Ben Sulayem
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stressed in an interview that he often found the language in Formula 1 to be too vulgar. The ominous “F-word” and other adult statements have no place in sport, he told autosport.com: Such language is more something for “rap music”.
This, in turn, bothered Lewis Hamilton. Ben Sulayem’s move was essentially fine, but “I don’t like the way he expressed it,” said the record world champion: “Saying ‘rapper’ is very stereotypical. Because most rappers are black.” There was “a racist element” in the FIA boss’s words, added Hamilton.
Verstappen found Ben Sulayem’s request petty and he would not let anyone stop him from speaking out. “How old are we? Five? Six?” asked the Red Bull driver. “Even if a five or six-year-old is watching, they will still swear at some point when they grow up.”
Verstappen has a simple solution
Swear words are already faded out with a beep during the broadcasts, but that is not enough for Ben Sulayem. “We have to differentiate between our sport, motorsport, and rap music,” he said. “We are not rappers. How many times a minute do they say the F-word? That is not us. That is them, and we are us.”
For Verstappen, however, the “F-word” is not meant to be offensive. The term is part of the language. “Everyone swears,” said Verstappen. “I think a lot of people say a lot of bad things in other sports when they’re full of adrenaline.” While Sulayem wants a more civilized tone, Formula 1 makes full use of its drivers’ emotions. The premier class repeatedly plays dialogues from the team radio on social media and generates huge reach with the clips.
“These things are probably being spread for entertainment purposes,” Verstappen aptly stated. The solution is simple: don’t play the pit radio at all, then no one will be bothered by its content – or you just have to accept that not all statements are flowery.