Ex-F1 driver slams ‘petty as hell’ FIA for penalizing Max Verstappen over swearing saga

Juan Pablo Montoya backed Max Verstappen over the latter's swearing fiasco at the Singapore GP and labeled FIA as petty.

Ex-F1 driver slams ‘petty as hell’ FIA for penalizing Max Verstappen over swearing saga

Juan Pablo Montoya and Max Verstappen (via imago)

Max Verstappen‘s swearing saga at the Singapore GP witnessed different reactions from the people in the paddock. The majority was on the Dutchman’s side and deemed the penalty as ‘petty.’ Ex-F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya decided to side with the 27-year-old and slammed the FIA for penalizing Verstappen.

The governing body punished Max Verstappen by subjecting him to community service for a day after swearing during a Singapore press conference. The Dutchman carried out his little protest by giving out one-word answers during the post-race conference. Even the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reacted to the situation pointing out how the FIA always got backlash for decisions, even the good ones.

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Juan Pablo Montoya didn’t hesitate to back Verstappen over the swearing saga. Montoya believed that the FIA overreacted. Following Verstappen’s swear word during the press conference, the governing body should’ve let go of the situation with just a warning. However, a community service penalty was ‘petty’ from the FIA’s side, according to Montoya.

The FIA over-reacted. After what happened in the press conference Max should just have been given a warning. It’s petty as hell. And why?

Juan Pablo Montoya told Gambling Zone

Max Verstappen handled the situation in a ‘classic’ manner

Max Verstappen not only responded with a single-word answer but also held his own impromptu press conference outside the room. Montoya backed Verstappen over this move and called it ‘classic.’ Subsequently, the 49-year-old believed that F1 would leave him alone at some point as they needed him more than the Dutchman needed the sport’s support.

The way he managed it, I think it’s classic. At the end of day the F1 at some point is going to tell the FIA to leave him alone because they need him.

Juan Pablo Montoya noted
Max Verstappen questioned by interviewers outside conference room (via Ben Hunt)
Max Verstappen (via Ben Hunt)

The US GP scheduled in the upcoming week might see a more relaxed version of Max Verstappen following the three-week break. The Dutchman would likely be back to his normal and give out proper answers during conferences. However, the sport must take care of their penalties in the future as they could again get stern reactions from the F1 community.