P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen staged his own form of protest against the FIA following the Formula 1 governing body’s ruling against him for swearing.
The FIA required Verstappen to complete “some work of public interest” due to his use of foul language during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. Verstappen acknowledged being out-qualified by Sergio Perez in Baku, stating he knew the car was not performing well during the qualifying session. Despite qualifying second in Singapore, Verstappen kept his answers brief during the press conference, thanking the team for their efforts in improving the car. Red Bull struggled during practice, with Verstappen finishing 15th in FP2 and jokingly avoiding detailed explanations about changes made overnight. Verstappen’s responses conveyed defiance towards the FIA’s swearing penalty, hinting at potential reluctance in addressing such questions further. Hamilton and Norris backed Verstappen, criticizing the FIA’s handling of the issue and emphasizing the competitive spirit of F1. Verstappen expressed contentment with his qualifying performance at Singapore, setting his sights on a strong race day despite the challenges posed by the circuit.
