Lewis Hamilton urges Max Verstappen to…FIA orders as Brit backs F1…read more
Lewis Hamilton has come out in defense of his former title rival, Max Verstappen, urging the Dutchman to resist complying with the FIA’s recent punishment following a controversial incident during the Singapore Grand Prix. Verstappen was reprimanded by the FIA after swearing during a media day press conference, sparking a heated debate across the F1 community.
Hamilton, speaking after qualifying on Saturday, criticized the severity of the FIA’s response, calling the decision to penalize Verstappen “a bit of a joke.” He voiced his disapproval of the governing body’s stance and even suggested that if he were in Verstappen’s position, he would not comply with the punishment either. “I certainly wouldn’t be doing it and I hope Max doesn’t do it,” Hamilton stated.
The incident that led to Verstappen’s penalty occurred during the Singapore Grand Prix’s media day when Verstappen expressed frustration with his car, using profanity in the process. Although his comments were not directed at any individual, the FIA, following its code of conduct, decided to punish the reigning world champion. Verstappen’s use of offensive language in a public setting, they argued, violated the sport’s professional standards.
In response, Verstappen made his displeasure known during the post-qualifying press conference. When asked to comment on the matter, Verstappen initially provided one-word or “no comment” answers, before giving a more detailed explanation later in the paddock. “They want to set the precedent,” Verstappen explained. “People have received warnings or small fines for similar things, but now with me, they wanted to set an even bigger example. Which for me is a bit weird, of course.”
Verstappen’s frustration stems from the fact that his comments were not directed at anyone specifically, but rather at the performance of his car. “I didn’t swear at anyone particularly. I just said one thing about my car. But it’s in the code, so they have to follow the book,” Verstappen elaborated. He also acknowledged the stewards’ position, recognizing that they are required to enforce the rules but adding that he found the punishment disproportionate to the offense.
The Dutch driver remained somewhat diplomatic, emphasizing that he did not blame the stewards for the decision. “I actually had a really good chat with them,” Verstappen said. “They just have to follow the code and the book. I think they’re quite understanding, but it’s difficult for them as well.” Despite his acceptance of their role, he remained adamant that his remarks were not severe enough to warrant such a penalty. “I think what I said wasn’t that bad. And, of course, I get if you aim it at someone, that’s bad. But I didn’t do that.”
Hamilton’s defense of Verstappen also reflects the seven-time world champion’s ongoing grievances with the FIA. Earlier in the week, Hamilton had already criticized FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for controversial remarks in which Ben Sulayem appeared to compare swearing drivers to rappers, introducing what Hamilton interpreted as a “racial element” to the discussion. Hamilton expressed disappointment in the comparison, which he felt played into harmful stereotypes.
As one of the sport’s leading figures, Hamilton has often taken a stand on issues involving the FIA’s governance, and this latest episode seems to further highlight the tensions between drivers and the sport’s governing body. While Hamilton himself has faced fines and reprimands from the FIA over the years, including for his on-track comments and behavior, he believes the current situation with Verstappen underscores the need for a more nuanced approach.
Verstappen, for his part, remains defiant, standing by his position that the punishment was overly harsh for what he believes was a relatively minor transgression. As F1 continues to evolve both on and off the track, these types of incidents highlight the challenges the sport faces in balancing professionalism with the high-pressure environment that drivers operate in.
It remains to be seen whether Verstappen will comply with the FIA’s demands, but with Hamilton publicly backing him, the debate over driver conduct and the FIA’s disciplinary measures is sure to continue throughout the season.
