Former F1 driver and FIA steward Johnny Herbert has shed light on Max Verstappen's F-bomb controversy at the Singapore Grand Prix, where Herbert served as a race steward. The dispute arose when Verstappen used the swear word in a press conference, aimed at his RB20 Formula 1 car.
However, that did not go well with the governing body, as it levied a one-day community service penalty on the Red Bull driver. This punishment arrived in the wake of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's statements a few days before the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, urging drivers not to swear on team radio considering the mixed age group viewership.
However, his comments, which linked F1 drivers to rappers, received criticism from the drivers. Herbert explained that there has been more swearing in the sport than ever before. Speaking to CasinoHawks, Herbert said:
"At the press conference in Singapore, Max used the 'F' word about his car. The press conferences are beamed around the world.
"There is more swearing than there ever has been. A press conference is not the place for it. Some journalists have said the sport is trying to make robots out of the drivers. That's not the case. You are just asking them not to swear, which I think is the right thing. Most drivers don't swear.
"The incident was referred to us as stewards. We had a good, open chat with Max for about 20 minutes, half an hour, in what was a difficult situation.
"You could see in his face he was really worked up about it. But when he left, he appeared to be mollified about the process and why it's there. He did not blame us as stewards.
"As stewards, we have a range of tools to punish 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 is up to Max and the FIA what that is.
"It all blew up afterwards because he went to the press conference and gave one-word answers then held his own impromptu press conference outside in the paddock.
"That showed Max's rebellious streak. I love that side of him, it is what makes Max Max, his honest and outspoken character. But there is a time and a place. Personally, I think there is too much swearing. I don't want my five-year-old grandchild listening to that sort of language."
