Max Verstappen will not face additional penalties for referring to Formula 1 stewards as "stupid idiots" during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale.
The reigning four-time world champion already has community service to complete—a penalty handed down earlier this season for using the F-word in an official press conference. Verstappen is set to fulfil that obligation this week in Rwanda while attending the FIA's prize-giving gala.
After receiving a 20-second penalty for colliding with Oscar Piastri on the first lap of Sunday's race, Verstappen's super license penalty points now stand at eight. If he accrues four more points before next June, he will face an automatic race ban.
Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko acknowledged that Verstappen's recent radio outburst was unwise. "That wasn't very diplomatic," Marko said. "He needs to be careful from now on."
Former F1 test driver Ho-Pin Tung agreed that Verstappen had reason to be frustrated by the severity of the penalty. "According to the regulations," Tung told nu.nl, "the stewards could have given five seconds.
"In the past, it probably would have been that, especially as Max spun as well. It was also lap 1."
Meanwhile, Verstappen's title rival Lando Norris said the mistake was significant. "It showed that not everything he does is perfect," Norris commented.
The McLaren driver is already looking ahead to 2025 and believes he is ready to challenge Verstappen for the championship. Former F1 driver Christijan Albers noted that Norris has recently taken a tougher stance on Verstappen.
"Norris always pretends that he and Verstappen are friends, but of course they're all hypocrites," Albers told De Telegraaf. "It's obvious that guys like Lewis (Hamilton) and Lando are standing behind George (Russell)," he added, referring to recent high profile tensions and arguments with Verstappen.
Despite speculation that Verstappen might face further sanctions for his "stupid idiots" comment, the FIA has reportedly decided not to act. Sources suggest the decision followed hot on the heels of a recent meeting between Verstappen and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
"The conversation was initiated by Max and his manager, not by the FIA," reported Dutch journalist Erik van Haren. "As FIA president, you of course want to have a sit down and a cup of coffee with one of the figureheads of the sport," he added.
Albers expressed frustration with Ben Sulayem, slamming his approach to transparency.
"The way he said that he doesn't have to answer to the drivers," Albers said. "The drivers had asked where all the money from the fines goes. And then you see the aggressive, almost rude way that he answered.
"He forgets that it is the teams who keep the FIA alive in the first place. He is absolutely not transparent," Albers concluded.
