Max Verstappen Faces Possible FIA Action After Heated Canadian GP Comments
Max Verstappen may find himself in hot water once again with the FIA following a heated outburst during the post-qualifying press conference at the Canadian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver, who is already walking a disciplinary tightrope with nine penalty points on his license—just three shy of an automatic race ban—reacted angrily to questions that touched on his recent clashes with fellow front-row starter George Russell.
Verstappen and Russell are set to start side by side on the grid in Montreal, just two weeks after their controversial run-in at the Spanish Grand Prix. Given the recent history between the two, many in the media speculated about potential fireworks heading into Turn 1 on race day. However, Verstappen clearly wasn’t in the mood for further scrutiny over the matter.
“I don’t need to hear it again,” Verstappen snapped when asked about the possibility of contact. “It’s really pissing me off. You speaking about it, on Thursday… it’s such a waste of time. It’s very childish.”
The comments, particularly the use of the phrase “pissing me off,” have sparked debate about whether Verstappen could face disciplinary action for inappropriate language. The FIA has recently made adjustments to its stance on driver conduct—especially regarding the use of profanity. In response to mounting complaints from drivers across its various racing series, the governing body has softened its approach to swearing, now evaluating incidents based on the context in which they occur.
The FIA differentiates between “uncontrolled environments,” such as in-car radio during races, and “controlled environments,” like press conferences and official interviews. This means that swearing in a setting like a press conference could still be viewed more harshly than language used in the heat of a race. Yet, the precise boundaries of what is considered acceptable remain somewhat unclear.
Regulatory bodies like Ofcom categorize the phrase “pissed off” as mild profanity—unlikely to offend in most contexts and typically permissible without need for further explanation. If the FIA aligns its judgments with similar standards, Verstappen’s remark might be viewed as harmless venting and not warrant any further action. However, Verstappen’s turbulent history with the FIA, including prior verbal clashes and penalty controversies, could weigh against him in any review.
Whether the governing body chooses to investigate or sanction the Dutchman may ultimately come down to interpretation and the appetite for setting a disciplinary example. While fans and commentators argue the frustration was understandable, especially in light of repetitive questioning, Verstappen’s public expression of irritation could still draw unwanted attention from race stewards.
For now, Verstappen’s fate remains uncertain. While no official investigation has been announced, all eyes will be on the FIA to see whether it decides to enforce its guidelines strictly—or allow this incident to pass as a minor expression of frustration. Either way, the Dutchman’s growing tension with the media and regulators continues to be a storyline as the F1 season progresses.
