Max Verstappen was punished by the FIA for swearing at the Singapore Grand Prix in October before he was officially crowned F1 world champion for a fourth consecutive year.
The Dutchman used an expletive at a press conference in Singapore while describing his Red Bull’s performance at the previous Grand Prix in Azerbaijan a week ago.
Verstappen has been ordered to “carry out some work for the public good” and the order came as he attended a motorsport grassroots development program with young people in Rwanda on Friday.
The 27-year-old was later recognized at the FIA’s prize ceremony and handed over the trophy by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, along with Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame.
Verstappen was recognized at the FIA’s prize gala on Friday.
Verstappen won nine grands prix during the 2024 season and amassed 437 points, becoming one of only six drivers to win four or more titles since the championship began in 1950.
He said: “It’s amazing. Four titles is definitely unbelievable. Of course, I hope it doesn’t end here. I hope we can have success for a longer period of time.”
“The competition is very strong this year, but there will be a lot of change in 2026 as well.”
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Nico Rosberg says Lando Norris and Verstappen’s relationship may have to change, saying ‘it’s too difficult to be friends’ when fighting for the championship.
Verstappen took the title with two rounds remaining at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, holding an unassailable lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Norris, who helped McLaren win their first constructors’ championship since 1998, took the award as runner-up, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took the third-place trophy.
Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, who looks to be under threat for his 2025 spot after an extremely poor season, was named Action of the Year winner after overtaking in China but did not attend the Rwanda gala.
