FIA steward Herbert explains Verstappen’s curse penalty

Johnny Herbert has explained the decision-making behind Max Verstappen’s controversial swearing penalty.

Verstappen was given a community service order by the Formula 1 governing body because he swore in a press conference broadcast live on television.

This comes after Motorsport.com’s exclusive interview with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in which he urged drivers to curb their swear words.

In the article, Ben Sulayem said: “We must differentiate between our sport – motorsports – and rap music. We’re not rappers, you know. How many times a minute do you say the F-word? We are not there. They are and we are (us).”

While Herbert – who was race steward at the Singapore Grand Prix where the Dutchman cursed in the press conference and was penalized – says the sanction was not a direct result of Ben Sulayem’s desire to crack down on bad language, he has provided insight into the decision. Manufacturing.

“At the press conference in Singapore, Max used the ‘F’ word for his car. The press conferences will be broadcast around the world,” he told CasinoHawks.

“There is more swearing than ever before. A press conference is not the place for this. Some journalists have said the sport is trying to turn drivers into robots. That is not the case. You just ask them not to curse,” which I think is the right thing to do. Most drivers don’t swear.

“The incident was reported to us as stewards. We had a good, open conversation with Max for about 20 minutes or half an hour in a difficult situation.”

Johnny Herbert, former driver and FIA steward, comes to the track

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

“You could see on his face that he was really excited about it. But as he left, he seemed mollified by the process and why he is there. He didn’t blame us as administrators.”

“As stewards, we have a number of tools at our disposal to penalize drivers. We are there to implement the rules and make a decision together. We could have fined him, but we felt it would be more beneficial to get him to do something socially responsible.” It’s up to Max and the FIA ​​what that is.

“It all blew up after that because he went to the press conference, gave one-word answers and then had his own impromptu press conference out in the paddock.”

“That showed Max’s rebellious streak. I love this side of him, that’s what defines Max Max, his honest and open character. But there is a time and a place. Personally I think there is too much swearing. I don’t.” I want my five-year-old grandchild to hear this kind of language.

Herbert also admitted that Ben Sulayem’s controversial interview with Motorsport.com “didn’t go over particularly well with the drivers” and claimed they were “upset”.

He added: “There is an FIA code that says no swear words can be used. A week earlier, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had spoken about swearing, saying F1 drivers shouldn’t swear and they weren’t “rappers”.

“This didn’t go down too well with the angry drivers, particularly Lewis (Hamilton), who found it a racial insult.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President

Photo by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Images

“The drivers weren’t happy about it. They all teamed up with Max. I’ve noticed that the drivers are a much tighter-knit bunch than they have been in many years. They have much stronger opinions on issues.”

“Swearing is something Ben Sulayem wants to eradicate. You can’t really sit in the car in the heat of the moment during a race when emotions come out.”

“I hope common sense prevails among F1 drivers who swear in the future – the drivers and the FIA ​​need to work together.”

“There needs to be an understanding that both sides need to work together. I know that the FIA ​​President is unhappy with swear words.”

“There is a consensus among drivers that it is not right to swear at a press conference. “It’s just something that has evolved from the president’s first ‘rapper’ comment, which some found offensive, to Max being hauled in front of the stewards in Singapore.”

Herbert also says there has since been a meeting with the F1 drivers and that the exact details of the community service penalty against Verstappen have yet to be agreed.

He said: “We had a meeting with the drivers afterwards where at least one, who I won’t name, made it clear that he didn’t think verbal abuse was acceptable.”

“There are a lot of young people in the world who love the sport and admire the drivers. Drivers need to understand that they are role models.”

“We made the decision that there was a case to answer, if you will. It is between Max and the FIA ​​to agree on what the sanction should be and what it would look like. That part is out of our control.”