Verstappen is annoyed by an F1 becoming 'too soft'

Max Verstappen criticizes the latest F1 regulations, calling them ‘too soft’ and hindering authentic communication.

Max Verstappen continued to express frustration over penalties regarding his use of expletives on the radio and in press conferences. The three-time world champion no longer wishes to speak at official FIA press conferences.

“For me, personally, there’s absolutely no desire to provide lengthy answers when you’re treated this way,” Verstappen stated. “I’ve never really felt like I had bad relations with him.”

“Even this year, I’ve done volunteer work with junior union delegates, giving a half-hour interview they organized. So, I tried to help out, do small favors, etc. I’m not a difficult person who says no.”

“I’m more of the ‘Okay, sure, if that’s what you want, I’m happy to help’ type, and then you get treated like this. That’s not how it works. For me, it was quite simple. I know I have to answer at an FIA press conference, but it’s not specified how long you need to respond.”

He thinks F1 is becoming too polished: “It’s just the wording, the decision, the direction the sport is heading for me personally, you know, with this kind of stuff. I know, of course, that it’s forbidden to insult people. It’s quite simple, and no one really wants to do it. It’s a bit too soft, and honestly, it’s stupid. It’s really stupid what we’re dealing with.”

The Dutchman dislikes the suppression of personalities: “Absolutely. If you can’t be fully yourself, it’s better not to speak at all. Ultimately, that’s what no one wants, because then you become a robot, and that’s now how it has to be done in the sport.”

When asked if there was support for him, Verstappen confirmed: “Yes, of course. Of course, I wrote the decision on the GPDA discussion, and everyone was almost laughing, saying ‘what is this’ actually. So, yes, it’s very, very silly.”

The GPDA aims to gather opinions from all its members and formulate a response. GPDA President Alex Wurz stated that while not everyone is accustomed to using expletives, imposing penalties for it was excessive.

“How many lifetime community service hours should Günther Steiner serve for using the F-word?” Wurz said. “He was glorified for using the F-word. Netflix broadcast it worldwide, no problem. But to suddenly change like this?”

“I have to say that the choice of words does not match my personal tastes as a driver. As president of the GPDA, I must officially say that we will, of course, discuss it internally first, reach full consensus, and then we will see if and in what form we will talk to the FIA and the president.”

Wurz stated that the GPDA does not usually use the media to promote its agenda, but the topic will be addressed: “Personally, I still believe, and this is also what we do within the GPDA, that we handle problems internally.”

“We do not go through the media. It is very rare for something to go from the GPDA to the media because we simply try to resolve things internally for the good of the sport and we want to bring people and the main stakeholders together on our path.”

“I think drivers should be allowed to express themselves authentically to a certain extent. Of course, it must not be personally offensive, and it must not be discriminatory either. They have all come a long way in this regard. So, for me personally, the penalty is too harsh.”