JUST IN: Late FIA punishment verdict revealed after controversial Verstappen Abu Dhabi incident...

Late FIA punishment verdict revealed after controversial Verstappen Abu Dhabi incident

Max Verstappen will not face any additional punishment from the FIA following a controversial incident at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, according to recent reports. The Dutch driver has been involved in several disputes with the sport’s governing body throughout the 2024 season, including one that escalated due to his use of profanity during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The tension between Verstappen and the FIA first heightened in Singapore after he used offensive language during a press event. Following the incident, the three-time world champion took part in a silent protest, opting not to engage fully in the mandatory FIA press conferences. Instead, he kept his responses to a minimum and chose to speak more openly with other media outlets. Verstappen’s actions were widely interpreted as a show of defiance against the FIA, and his frustrations with the organization only grew over the course of the season.

The driver’s clashes with the FIA reached another peak at the Mexican Grand Prix, where he was hit with two separate 10-second penalties after a close on-track battle with Lando Norris of McLaren. Verstappen publicly criticized the FIA’s decision-making process and their interpretation of racing rules, claiming that their rulings were inconsistent. His dissatisfaction with how penalties were applied throughout the season further fueled his strained relationship with the officials.

Verstappen’s frustrations came to the fore again during the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In the opening lap of the race, he was involved in an incident with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, which led to him being penalized with another 10-second penalty. As he served the penalty during his scheduled pit stop, Verstappen was overheard sarcastically telling his team over the radio: “Can we ask for 20 seconds? Stupid idiots!” This sarcastic remark quickly sparked speculation that the FIA might investigate the Red Bull driver once again, this time for inappropriate language or conduct on the team radio.

Despite concerns that Verstappen’s comment could land him in trouble, it has since been confirmed that the FIA will not pursue any further action. An official FIA spokesperson clarified to Motorsport.com that Verstappen’s remark was made in the heat of the moment and will not lead to an investigation. The decision to refrain from issuing additional penalties brings an end to this particular incident, allowing Verstappen to close out the season without further disciplinary measures.

However, Verstappen’s battles with the FIA are not entirely behind him. He was already handed a community service-style punishment for his use of profanity in Singapore, which he is expected to fulfill in the coming week. This penalty involves him attending the FIA’s annual Awards ceremony, where he will be presented with his fourth drivers’ championship trophy. As part of the event, Verstappen will be completing his penalty while participating in community service efforts in Rwanda, a significant aspect of the annual ceremony.

Verstappen’s fourth championship title may have further cemented his status as one of the sport’s greats, but his off-track clashes with the FIA have cast a shadow over parts of his 2024 season. Nevertheless, the Red Bull driver remains focused on his racing, and with no further investigations pending, he can now fully concentrate on preparing for the 2025 season.

In conclusion, while Max Verstappen has been involved in numerous disputes with the FIA throughout 2024, the governing body has opted not to penalize him further for his sarcastic remark during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Dutch driver will serve the punishment for his earlier conduct in Singapore but will escape additional sanctions, allowing him to focus on his next championship challenge.