Max Verstappen clashes with the FIA at Bahrain testing

Formula 1 is as much about high-speed action as it is about raw emotion. Drivers push themselves and their cars to the absolute limit, and sometimes, that intensity spills over in the form of a few choice words or gestures. But the FIA isn’t a fan of that side of the sport, and Max Verstappen is once again in their crosshairs for it.



FIA’s Crackdown on Bad Language



The FIA has been trying to clean up the sport’s image, particularly when it comes to driver conduct. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem made his stance clear back in 2024 before the Singapore Grand Prix, saying, “We have to differentiate between our sport and rap music.”



That same weekend, Verstappen was penalized for swearing during a press conference. His punishment? Community service, which he completed by working with grassroots motorsport programs in Rwanda before attending the FIA’s prize-giving gala.



For 2025, the FIA has taken things even further. Drivers have been warned that repeated offenses could lead to hefty fines or even race bans. A third violation could cost them a whopping $127,000 and a one-month suspension.



The Bahrain Testing Controversy



During the final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, Verstappen was caught on camera seemingly flipping the middle finger while driving down the pit lane—right past the Williams pit wall. Naturally, this sparked plenty of discussion.



When asked about it, Verstappen played it cool, joking, “Or I have to be suspended because I have too many penalty points for swearing.” He didn’t confirm whether the gesture was directed at anyone in particular, but he didn’t exactly deny it either.



The Struggle Between Passion and Regulations



Verstappen’s reaction highlights an ongoing debate in F1: Should drivers be allowed to express themselves, or should the sport be buttoned-up and ultra-professional?



F1 is an emotional sport. Drivers operate in high-pressure situations, and sometimes their reactions—whether it’s an outburst on team radio or a quick hand gesture—are just part of the heat of the moment. The FIA, however, seems determined to clamp down on anything it deems “unprofessional.”



The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) has already voiced concerns about the FIA’s approach. GPDA chairman George Russell commented, “We have read that through the media. There could be room for improvement in that we [the FIA and the GPDA] are working out [these things] together.”



Clearly, the drivers want to be involved in shaping these rules, rather than just being handed a list of do’s and don’ts.



Where Does F1 Go From Here?



With the 2025 season just getting started, the tension between driver expression and FIA regulations isn’t going away anytime soon. Verstappen’s incident in Bahrain is just another example of how difficult it is to police behavior in a sport built on adrenaline and competition.



The FIA needs to find a balance—one that maintains professionalism but doesn’t turn drivers into emotionless robots. At the same time, the drivers will have to be more mindful of the rules, even if they don’t necessarily agree with them.



One thing is certain: Verstappen isn’t going to change who he is. And as long as he keeps delivering results on track, he probably won’t care what the FIA thinks about his language or his hand gestures.
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