Max Verstappen will not face consequences for his heated radio message at Formula 1's Abu Dhabi season finale in which he called the FIA race stewards “stupid idiots” for handing him a penalty.
On Sunday Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for colliding with McLaren's Oscar Piastri in the first corner and reacted angrily to his penalty as first-lap incidents are often judged more leniently. “Can we ask for 20 seconds? Stupid idiots!," Verstappen said on Red Bull's team radio.
The stewards did not investigate the statement on site in Abu Dhabi and an FIA spokesperson has now confirmed to Motorsport.com that the governing body considers the matter to be closed and that Verstappen faces no further sanctions.
Earlier this year Verstappen was already handed a community service by the FIA for swearing in the Singapore Grand Prix pre-event press conference. On Sunday night, the FIA confirmed that the Dutchman's service will involve working with the local automobile club in Rwanda in the margin of the FIA gala in Kigali later this week.
As part of clinching his fourth F1 world title, Verstappen is required to attend the FIA awards ceremony on 13 December. Championship runner-up Lando Norris and third-placed driver Charles Leclerc are also due to attend the event.
Verstappen’s work will involve working with junior competitors in a grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club.
“The FIA has announced the details of Max Verstappen’s “work of public interest” duty linked to the Stewards’ penalty for the use of unacceptable language during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix drivers' press conference,” an FIA statement released after the Abu Dhabi GP read.
“Verstappen will travel to the FIA Awards Ceremony which takes place as part of the General Assemblies next week in Kigali, Rwanda to collect his fourth consecutive FIA Formula One World Championship trophy.
“While in Kigali he will undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC).
“The activity will involve an FIA Affordable Cross Car which was built locally in Rwanda by the RAC from blueprints provided by the FIA.
“Design blueprints for the Level 2 category Affordable Cross Car project have been delivered to the global network of 147 National Sporting Authorities (ASNs).”
