Mohammed Ben Sulayem: “People thought I would make Max Verstappen clean the bathrooms”. Mohammed Ben Sulayem on Max Verstappen doing community service .

Max Verstappen doing community service
The curse word expressed by Max Verstappen during the press conference of the Singapore Grand Prix turned into a real issue in the world of Formula 1, to the point that the President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, personally intervened on the matter. In order to prevent such incidents from happening in the future, the head of the Federation has toughened the ethical code rules, in addition to sanctioning the four-time world champion with community service in Rwanda.

Max Verstappen’s ‘fear’
A decision that, as Mohammed Ben Sulayem told Diario AS in Madrid (where they are discussing the project for the Spanish GP in the Spanish capital from 2026), initially worried Max Verstappen: “I consider the drivers like my children – he stated – look at Verstappen and his community service: people thought the FIA president would make him clean the bathrooms. I spoke to him in Qatar, he was nervous, but I suggested he inspire girls and boys, and he thought it would be positive. He went to Rwanda, hugged them, and it was very beautiful for them.” – he pointed out.

Team radio issue
In addition to this, Mohammed Ben Sulayem also focused on the topic regarding the possible cancellation of live team radios on television: “Even Toto Wolff was surprised that his son, who is under ten, swore he heard the drivers curse – he added – this is not what we want at the FIA. If you can control yourself in an F1 car, you can control your words… It’s not asking too much, and it’s not new, these are FIA rules that have been written since 1972.” – the FIA president concluded.