FIA Race Steward Johnny Herbert has weighed in on Max Verstappen’s swearing row with the Formula 1 governing body, defending the punishment bestowed upon the Dutchman.
Mere days after FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called for a clampdown on swearing across elite-level motorsport, Red Bull’s Verstappen was caught out.
Using the word f*** during the Thursday Singapore Grand Prix press conference, Verstappen was ordered to complete a day of community service as punishment.
The Red Bull F1 star responded by being tight-lipped across subsequent press conferences, holding separate conversations with the media outside the FIA’s gaze and questioning his future in the sport.
“The press conferences are beamed around the world,” Herbert explained to CasinoHawks.
“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.
“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.”
Stewards not to blame for FIA Max Verstappen punishment
Hebert went on to explain that it’s the Stewards’ role to implement rules as they’re written in the FIA Sporting and Technical Regulations and that he didn’t see Verstappen blaming him or his colleagues.
“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.”
Herbert also took no issue with Verstappen’s response to the punishment, hailing his outspoken character.
Still, the FIA Race Steward reiterated his stance on swearing in a press conference.
“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,” the three-time GP winner said.
“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.”
Herbert hopes for resolution to swearing conflict
Several drivers supported Verstappen’s stance against the FIA, with former title rival Lewis Hamilton urging the Dutchman not to go through with the punishment.
With no resolution between the two concerned parties, Herbert hopes for a peaceful end to the conflict next time out during the United States GP in Austin, Texas.
“I hope that if Max swears in a press conference at the US Grand Prix, common sense prevails.
“There has to be an understanding that both sides need to work together.
“I know the FIA president is unhappy with foul language. There is an understanding among drivers that swearing at a press conference is not right.
“We made the decision that there was a case to answer if you like. It is between Max and the FIA to agree what the sanction should be and what it would be.”
On that note, Herbert revealed that one driver supported the notion of no swearing.
“At least one, who I won’t name, made clear that in his opinion, swearing was not acceptable,” he said.
“There are many youngsters around the world who love the sport and worship the drivers. Drivers have to understand that they are role models.”
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