Max Verstappen has stated that Formula One shouldn’t broadcast team radio if the sport is worried about inappropriate language, especially after the FIA president likened drivers to vulgar rappers. Verstappen’s comments followed criticism from Lewis Hamilton, who pointed out a “racial element” in the FIA chief’s remarks.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem told motorsport.com that the FIA requested Formula One Management to reduce the amount of swearing shown on TV. He remarked, “We’re not rappers, you know. They use the F-word how many times per minute? This isn’t that. Imagine watching the race with your kids and hearing all that foul language. What would you teach them about the sport?”
After swearing during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen implied that the FIA was overstepping. The Red Bull driver and reigning champion commented, “Everyone swears; some more than others. It also depends on the language. While abuse is different, many negative comments happen in other sports without a microphone picking them up. Here, things often get aired for entertainment purposes.”
He suggested that rather than banning drivers from swearing, it might be better to limit what’s broadcasted or implement a delay for censorship. Formula One already mutes offensive language on the global feed, and some drivers have intentionally sworn on the radio to keep information from spreading.
Verstappen expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the FIA’s approach, asking rhetorically, “Are we five or six years old? Even young kids will eventually swear, regardless of what their parents say.”
Hamilton also criticized Ben Sulayem’s comments, saying, “I don’t like how he expressed it. Referring to ‘rappers’ is very stereotypical. Most rappers are black, which implies ‘we’re not like them.’ That choice of words suggests a racial undertone.”
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