Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has called for a “civilized” response to the ongoing controversy regarding swearing, following the FIA’s punishment of Max Verstappen for his use of inappropriate language.
During a press conference in Singapore, Verstappen reflected on the previous race in Azerbaijan, where he described his car as “f***ed.” The FIA disapproved of this remark and assigned him a form of community service as punishment.
Upset by the situation, Verstappen opted to minimize his comments in subsequent press conferences, choosing instead to engage with the media outside of the official settings.
Wolff recalled an incident when he and Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur were summoned by the stewards for using bad language in Las Vegas, suggesting that a more nuanced approach might be necessary.
“I was with the stewards last year after Las Vegas, and it was quite an enjoyable experience! Fred was there too, but he seemed more concerned,” Wolff remarked. “I told them it was the first time since school that I had to see the headmaster, and I promised it would be the last.”
He acknowledged that while excessive swearing and rudeness on the radio shouldn’t occur, the context of the F-word has changed in modern language. He emphasized the need for emotions and raw moments in racing but suggested that toning it down a bit would benefit everyone. However, he wouldn’t advocate for a complete ban on the F-word, as he believes there are worse words.
“I don’t see using the F-word in a press conference as the worst offense. If we need to adjust our language, including team principals, then we will consider it. It’s about being more civilized.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner expressed that the situation could have been handled differently to avoid backlash. He clarified that he hadn’t asked Verstappen to moderate his language during races, noting that the context matters.
“Max has clearly stated his feelings on the matter,” Horner said. “While drivers are role models, the language used in everyday life is different. It might have been better to handle this in a way that would have minimized awkwardness. I’m not sure how much Max is saying in the FIA press conferences now, but I assume it’s quite limited. The distinction lies between what is said in a press conference and in the car, especially for a driver who is not a native English speaker…”