Ex-Benetton, McLaren and Williams F1 driver Alexander Wurz has spoken out against the FIA's decision to sanction Max Verstappen for swearing.
Grand Prix Drivers' Association chairman Alex Wurz has labelled the bad language punishment meted out to Max Verstappen at the Singapore Grand Prix as "extraordinary".
In Thursday's FIA-sanctioned drivers' press conference, the 26-year-old used the F-word in describing his Red Bull RB20, which drew the ire of the governing body on the day its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, had demanded the F1 drivers curb their foul language.
Once deemed guilty, the stewards' decided Verstappen was under "obligation to accomplish some work of public interest".
It has to be determined what the 'community service' might entail, but former F1 driver Wurz was less than impressed.
"The punishment is extraordinary," the 50-year-old told ORF. "The fact that you immediately go public, without first seeking dialogue and going to the drivers, they [the drivers] don't think it's cool.
"A driver has to be able to be himself. That's how Formula 1 once became very popular because the drivers were allowed to be themselves a bit more. Language use is also part of that."
