According to Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor, Max Verstappen’s threats to leave Formula 1 following his clash with the FIA should be taken seriously. During the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, the FIA imposed a community service penalty on Verstappen for using a profanity in an official press conference while referring to his Red Bull. This decision is part of the new crackdown initiated by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem against offensive language on TV, which has already been regulated by Formula 1.
In protest, Max Verstappen avoided answering detailed questions during FIA press conferences, opting instead to hold separate sessions with the media for the rest of the weekend. During these sessions, he hinted that FIA policies were robbing him of the joy of racing in Formula 1 and that they might push him to leave sooner than expected. “I’m at a stage in my career where I don’t want to deal with this all the time. It’s really exhausting. Of course, it’s great to be successful and win races, but once you’ve achieved all that, winning championships and races, you also want to have fun. If you have to deal with all this nonsense, then for me, it’s not a way to continue in this sport, that’s for sure.” – he pointed out.
Speaking exclusively to the German magazine Motorsport Total, Helmut Marko stated that his driver is not bluffing about leaving the series. “You have to take Max seriously,” he said. “He’s achieved a lot, but it’s also important for him to enjoy the sport. If that enjoyment keeps getting spoiled, then he’s the kind of guy who says, ‘Okay, that’s it.’ He means it, but I hope the current situation doesn’t force him to retire soon.” – the Red Bull boss concluded.
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