Ex-F1 driver wants ‘common sense to prevail’ over Max Verstappen swearing saga

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has called for common sense in handling the Max Verstappen swearing saga ahead of the USA Grand Prix.

Ex-F1 driver wants ‘common sense to prevail’ over Max Verstappen swearing saga

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen‘s swearing incident from the Singapore GP is set to be addressed at the upcoming US Grand Prix. With the race approaching this weekend, the topic has gained attention again.

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert expressed hope that common ground would be reached for the swearing drama. Herbert, now a steward, reflected on the swearing controversy involving Max Verstappen.

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During the Singapore GP press conference, Verstappen called his car “f***.” This remark led to a community service penalty, which many pundits and drivers found excessive.

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Herbert expressed that if Verstappen swears again during the US Grand Prix press conference, he hopes officials handle the situation with common sense. The Briton believes a balanced approach is better, advocating for penalties that appropriately reflect the severity of the incident.

Johnny Herbert explained that the situation escalated from the FIA president’s initial comment about “rappers,” which some people found offensive. The comment about rappers was especially sensitive because Lewis Hamilton, who is Black, felt it brought up a racial issue.

I hope that if Max swears in a press conference at the US Grand Prix, common sense prevails. It is just something that built up from the president’s initial ‘rappers’ comment, which some found offensive to then Max being dragged before the stewards in Singapore.

Johnny Herbert told Casino Hawks

Many rappers are Black and frequently use strong language in their songs. When Ben Sulayem said that F1 drivers aren’t rappers for swearing, it reinforced a negative stereotype. This comment became a problem for Verstappen when he was later called before the stewards in Singapore.

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Max Verstappen, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko (via BILD)

Johnny Herbert refuses to reveal identity of driver who agreed that swearing was unacceptable

The Max Verstappen swearing drama stirred up quite a bit of controversy, grabbing the media’s attention for over a week. When surrounded by reporters, he held an impromptu gathering in the Marina Bay paddock. Verstappen answered questions with a surprisingly relaxed attitude despite the uproar around him.

johnny herbert
Johnny Herbert

Many drivers, even his rivals, rallied to support him, arguing that the penalty was too harsh. They acknowledged that swearing can happen in the heat of the moment. However, Johnny Herbert pointed out that while many drivers stood by Verstappen, one unnamed driver felt that swearing just doesn’t belong in Formula 1.

We had a meeting with the drivers afterwards when at least one, who I won’t name, made clear that in his opinion, swearing was not acceptable.

Johnny Herbert said
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Max Verstappen (via Formularapida.net)

The decision regarding Verstappen accepting the community service will be taken soon. A collective statement from the drivers is also expected during the Mexican GP, which will aim to address the FIA’s measures against swearing. Many drivers feel these measures are excessive and undermine the emotional intensity of racing.