Toto Wolff has openly criticized the FIA’s decision to penalize Max Verstappen for his language.
Toto Wolff finds the way F1 drivers are treated by the FIA unfair, after Max Verstappen was punished for using offensive language during a press conference and in his car.
“I think context should always be considered in how things are said, but we want emotions, we want raw moments, we understand drivers are in an extreme state. If we can tone it down a bit, I think it’s good for all of us, but I wouldn’t necessarily ban the F-word,” Wolff stated.
Wolff pointed out that press conferences aren’t broadcast to a wide audience, especially not to children: “I don’t think anyone listens to the FIA president during a press conference anyway. I mean, we listen, but rarely talk about it. It’s not a large audience. We are the group.”
“We’re all part of this traveling circus. We know each other. And I don’t think using the F-word in a press conference is the worst thing… If we have to adapt, if we all have to adjust our language, including team principals, then we’ll view things from a more civilized angle.”
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, supports his driver and downplays the severity of the issue: “I think Max clearly expressed his feelings on this. Of course, all these drivers are role models.”
“But language is used in everyday life, it might have been handled a bit differently, which could have avoided the awkwardness. I don’t know how much he speaks in the FIA press conference now, but I guess it’s relatively little.”
Horner emphasized that the approach should vary between in-the-moment reactions and language used in press conferences.
“I guess there’s a difference between a press conference and in the car. But for a driver whose first language isn’t English… we’ve seen members of royalty telling photographers to take a f***ing picture. So, reactions should be relative.”
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FIA Criticized for Punishing Verstappen’s Language FIA Criticized for Punishing Verstappen’s Language
