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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen made a quip to McLaren driver and close friend Lando Norris that was caught on the microphone during the FIA press conference on Saturday. The three-time world champion has been at odds with the sport's governing body through the Singapore Grand Prix weekend as he was penalized by the latter for using foul language during the pre-race press conference on Thursday.
The Dutch driver had described his RB20's performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend in choice words as he claimed that the 'car was f***ed' heading to the qualifying in Baku. However, the FIA did not seem to appreciate the use of profanity and punished Verstappen with one day of community service.
Max Verstappen, in protest of the decision, gave one-word responses throughout the post-qualifying press conference. When asked for how long he won't be answering in the FIA press conference, he replied:
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"I'm answering. Just not a lot. Problem with my voice," Verstappen said.
However, while leaving the press room, Max Verstappen was unaware of the mics still being on as he made a sarcastic quip to title rival Lando Norris and said:
“No problems with my b**ls,” Verstappen said.
Max Verstappen comments on the 'ridiculous' penalty given to him
Max Verstappen found the whole scenario 'ridiculous' but did not speak ill of the race stewards as he believed they were just doing their jobs. During the press conference, Max Verstappen asked the reporters to ask him questions outside the press room, where he gave detailed answers regarding the protest.
Speaking to Sky Sports in the TV Pen, Verstappen discussed the penalty and said:
"It's just ridiculous. To get a penalty for that, this kind of thing, for me. I think when you insult someone, that's pretty clear. I didn't even aim it at a person. It's a bit of a slip-of-the-tongue moment," Verstappen said.
"This is not even to the stewards because they are just bound to a rulebook. I actually had a great chat with them about it. They are very understanding but it's in the rules and they have to apply something. For me, it's not the right way to go forward in our sport," he added.
McLaren driver Lando Norris did not miss the opportunity to make fun of his good friend and title rival Max Verstappen, jokingly saying that the Dutch 'deserved it', but later added that the penalty was unfair.
Whereas Lewis Hamilton, who finished P3 in the qualifying session, said:
"Yeah, 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," Hamilton said.
On the track, Verstappen and Hamilton would look to challenge the McLaren of Norris in the main race on Sunday as the 24-year-old has looked in a class of his own throughout the weekend.
