FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem discussed Max Verstappen’s completion of his community service in Rwanda before the FIA Awards Ceremony. He described his gesture as a significant step towards improving diversity in F1 and motorsport in general. Verstappen was penalised by the governing body for swearing during Thursday’s news conference at the 2024 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix. During the conference, the Red Bull driver used the swear term ‘f***’.
He did describe the bad condition of his car. The FIA penalised Verstappen by requiring him to perform public interest activity. FIA’s decision to penalise an F1 driver for swearing about his car’s condition, rather than another individual, sparked controversy among the F1 paddock and fans. The FIA did not divulge the penalty specifics at the time but later posted an explanation on X’s social media.
Verstappen is expected to participate in a world-related event using the FIA’s Affordable Cross Car, which was locally produced in Rwanda. The Rwanda Motorsport Federation included this as part of their grassroots development program. During an interview after the FIA Awards Ceremony, Mohammed Ben Sulayem revealed that Max Verstappen attended a grassroots development program in Kigali with other junior drivers. The FIA President encouraged drivers to engage in community activities.
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen made history at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sunday. Verstappen has become only the sixth Formula One driver to win four world titles. He joins former Red Bull racer Sebastian Vettel as the team’s four-time champion. He finished ahead of Lando Norris, winning the championship. He defeated Norris by finishing sixth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix and winning the world title.
Ben Sulayem said, “He [Verstappen] fulfilled his promise. He was there, he was with the young girls and boys who built the car. Also, some girls were their first time in karting, there were about hundreds of them. This is the community service we need every single driver, and champion, to do if we want to grow. If we talk about diversity: this is the real diversity.”
