Team bosses think Verstappen's swearing 'could be avoided' in certain cases
F1 News
There is extra attention this week on swearing this weekend in Singapore, after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem declared it has no place in F1. Max Verstappen ignored this suggestion on Thursday, and therefore was penalised by the stewards for saying the F-word at the press conference. Team principals Frederic Vasseur and James Vowles reacted to the Dutchman's penalty in Singapore.
Vasseur thinks swearing cannot be avoided
The Frenchman was previously already penalised for swearing himself, as he received a reprimand together with Toto Wolff for swearing during a press conference at the 2023 Las Vegas GP. "First, I'm not sure that I'm the best reference to speak about it," the Ferrari man laughed in Singapore.
He continued: "I think we have to make a difference on the language during the race. Because I think this is, we are one of the only sport where the [radios are broadcasted], you don't have the microphone or the football player or whatever. I don't want to say the football player as a reference, but we have to understand also that they are driving the car at 350. And I'm not sure that the language is the first priority for them when they are driving the car."
On the other hand, Vasseur thinks it could be debated whether drivers should talk differently when at a press conferences. "We can discuss about the other approach and again I won't do it for obvious reasons, but I think when they are in the car it's a bit harsh."
Vowles agrees with Vasseur
The Williams team principal could only agree with the Frenchman. "We have to also try and keep in mind that we have some of the most elite athletes in the world putting their life on the line as gladiators, and that will cause an emotional reaction. And as much words as I can use with them here in the calm of the moment, you've still got adrenaline flowing through the body, and it'd be very difficult to change that."
However, they can still look to avoid swearing in other situations: "Clearly, I understand we're a world sport and there's elements that we have to remain under control. And there are other situations where perhaps language has been used on a slowdown lap or stationary in the pit lane, that can absolutely be avoided. I mean, Franco swore today, if I'm completely transparent, but we'll have a chat with him later about that. That wasn't for any other reason that he forgot something. That we can clean up," he concluded in Singapore.
This article was written in collaboration with Cas van de Kleut
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