Last week Thursday Max Verstappen was asked a question in the FIA controlled press conference about the state of the Red Bull car. Max responded using the F word and for that was reprimanded by the FIA and handed a community service punishment yet to be decided.
I would say the FIA have royally fcked up and unless they back track have now lost the openness they once had and could find themselves shunned. The FIA press conferences are already with most drivers, a yes, maybe or a no in response to questions. There is no detail or elaboration.
This action has not gone down well in the paddock when we consider drivers and team members do not mind doing the extras asked of them by the FIA. Max actually had been asked to give a speech for the race stewards which he gladly accepted and completed. Those involved in motor sport do not say no to requests so what community service are they even contemplating as punishment?
All the FIA have now done is categorize their favors which they will now struggle to find any willing volunteers. Everyone knows this is all nonsense and the FIA Chairman Ben Sulayman has gone a little too far this time.
The last press conference on Sunday after the Singapore Grand Prix was done in two parts. Max answered the yes and no questions and if the press wanted anything else they had another drivers press conference at the Red Bull entertainment center directly afterwards. The other drivers in the press conference had as replies no comment and maybe and they are fulfilling their obligation and are not breaking their side of the deal.
Drivers and teams have now asked for the in car audio during races to be disconnected for the media. This is the last thing the FIA and Liberty Media need as they try and grow the sport to the masses. Listening to the live messages between the race engineers and drivers is what gives the viewers an inside view into another world.
Not every driver has English as their first language so using a swear word everyone knows as it is universal to describe something is far easier. I know in most sports when the pressure is on swear words are common and this is nothing unusual. It makes no difference whether it is football, cricket or rugby the television audio will pick up swearing and why commentators often apologies to viewers for any bad language. The television broadcasters has come into their world and no one is going to change just in case it might be heard.
The last thing any driver needs to be thinking about is the language he has to use when he is driving around at 320Km/h. Drivers have said they will just keep quiet now and the sport would have lost that bit extra that makes the entire race experience that much better.
I understand that families maybe viewing this and possibly the broadcasters can have a viewers choice with options that would screen out any bad language. Funny how pathetic the world has become because the majority of people do not mind and this is what keeps the sport real.
The FIA along with the owners of Formula One Liberty Media want to grow the sport through having extra access for Netflix etc ,but are going to be shut off finding not everyone is going to be so open and welcoming.