Valtteri Bottas defended Max Verstappen stating it is hard for F1 drivers not to use swear words as it is a "habit" founded in their earlier days of career. During the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed a desire to reduce the number of profanities broadcasted by Formula 1 drivers. Shortly after his comments, three-time champion Max Verstappen used the word "f****d" in an official FIA press conference, referring to his car's performance in the preceding Azerbaijan qualifying. Following this, Verstappen was summoned by the stewards and received a community service penalty. He later protested during the post-qualifying session and held an impromptu media gathering in the paddock.
Lewis Hamilton criticized the sanction, calling it a "joke," and encouraged Verstappen to boycott the penalty. Meanwhile, Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who has also been known to swear over the radio, defended drivers who use such language.
"It is tricky because drivers should be an example in the way that they behave. But in the end, we're still humans and we've grown up at race tracks all our lives. There are some common words we use, get used to using, and normally people don't take them as offensive. It is tricky to correct that if it is your habit, but I think it is quite personal as well. We will get used to it. It is what it is. We will speak about it, no doubt, and let's see how we go," Bottas told RacingNews365 sharing his two cents.
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Max threatens to quit F1
Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen has threatened to leave Formula One after he was punished by Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) for swearing in a press- conference. The star driver is disappointed and not satisfied after this call on his actions. He bashed F1 for how they run the sport referring to them as “silly talking about his issue where a mere swearing saw consequences and punishment.
Verstappen threatened to quit F1 at a press conference after the Singapore race. He also questioned whether FIA will be bothered if a champion is lost due to their premature actions.
“I don’t know how seriously they will take that kind of stuff but for me, at one point, when it’s enough, it’s enough. We’ll see. Everything will go on, I have no doubt. It’s not a problem because Formula One will go on without me, but it’s also not a problem for me. So it’s how it is," the 26-year-old said
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