FIA decide on punishing Max Verstappen for press conference protest

Max Verstappen need not worry about any extra backlash from the FIA following his remarkable press conference protest.

After qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen declined to provide short responses during the FIA media session.

Instead, he informed journalists that he would converse with them in greater length outside the room and only offered brief one or two-word replies to all questions.

The 26-year-old's protest was against a community service-style punishment imposed on him for using profanity in another press conference on Thursday.

According to FIA regulations, the stewards had no option but to penalise Verstappen.

Verstappen's behaviour in the post-qualifying press conference could have provoked further ire from the governing body. Nico Rosberg, a pundit on Sky Sports, openly speculated whether Verstappen might be facing another penalty.

However, the FIA has clarified that there will be no additional sanctions for Verstappen regarding his conduct at the press conference.

When asked this specific question, a spokesperson responded: "No, he took part in the FIA press conference as required by the procedures."

Verstappen's stance received some backing from his fellow racers Lando Norris, who qualified on pole and won the race on Sunday, humorously suggested that the Red Bull driver "deserved it".

He then chuckled and provided his genuine opinion: "I think it's pretty unfair. I don't agree with any of it."

Lewis Hamilton, who started P3 but finished sixth, was particularly critical of the situation as he urged his former competitor to ignore the FIA's sanctions.

He commented: "I think it's a bit of a joke, to be honest. This is the pinnacle of the sport. Mistakes are made. I certainly won't be doing it, and I hope Max doesn't do it."

Meanwhile, outside the official FIA session, Verstappen stayed true to his word to talk with the press and, when questioned about the penalty, he said: "It's just ridiculous, to get a penalty for that.

"When you insult someone, it's pretty clear, but I didn't aim it at anyone. It's not the right way to go forward in our sport." However, the FIA has received some support, notably from Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson.

He believes that swearing during a press conference is "unacceptable" and stated: "There's one thing losing your cool in the cockpit travelling over 200 miles an hour.

"It's one thing losing your cool in the car and then being slack out of the car. And I think what we heard from Max and maybe a few others through the weekend... that's unacceptable."