Verstappen Really Threatens to Retire as FIA Issues Intensify
Sep.25 - Max Verstappen really might follow through on his threat and quit Formula 1 prematurely, according to former grand prix winner Ralf Schumacher.
The triple world champion was furious with his 'F-word' penalty in Singapore last weekend, subsequently almost completely refusing to speak in FIA-sanctioned press conferences and even threatening to retire early.
However, the 26-year-old Dutchman has received almost universal support.
"Maybe we should focus on other things than just a few words that are spoken in a split second," Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur said.
Former Mercedes F1 boss Norbert Haug told Sport1: "I am astonished that Formula 1 has no more important issues than this storm in a teacup.
"With a 'beep', everything is done and then we can move on to the important things."
Red Bull F1 consultant Dr Helmut Marko even thinks Verstappen's post-penalty should even be applauded. "Max stands by his values," the 81-year-old Austrian told f1-insider.com.
"He can't just ignore it when he feels he's being treated unfairly. So this could also be interpreted the other way round as a positive influence on young people. 'Always stand by your values' - that could be the message."
As for Schumacher, he thinks Verstappen's threat to accelerate the end of his Formula 1 career over the 'soft' future direction of the sport might just be real.
"I think he'll stop if things escalate," Ralf said. "Because he is simply independent.
"He has already earned enough money and has always said that he will not drive in Formula 1 forever. So I wouldn't rule it out."
Schumacher also thinks the F-word penalty is just the latest in a series of negative experiences for Verstappen. "Max has a lot going on," Ralf said.
"There's the Christian Horner affair, the departure of Adrian Newey, the bouncing car and then the world championship slowly slipping away from him. Of course you then curse sometimes.
"A warning would have been enough," Schumacher added. "The tragic role played by (FIA president) Mohammed Ben Sulayem is like our Olaf Scholz - a disaster in terms of communication.
"First he gets into trouble with Susie Wolff, then the huge scandal with Liberty Media that almost cost him his job, then the comments he made at the official award ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
"I would recommend that the FIA think about something new," said the German.
Lewis Hamilton has even advised Verstappen to refuse to carry out the community service penalty.
"It's obviously a fight," said Ralf. "Would I fight it? If I was Max's advisor, I would say that the problems on the technical side are big enough.
"He obviously feels unfairly treated and is being stubborn, but I don't think Ben Sulayem is clever enough to reverse the whole thing. So I would make a virtue out of necessity and take on a passion project and maybe help children or something.
"He needs to concentrate in the car and win the world championship. A boycott like that would only distract him."
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Good for him.
You can understand swearing in the cockpit under racing conditions, but nearly all other sportspeople in the world try to mind their language in press conferences.He is not under pressure in a press conference. Having said that a warning would have been sufficient and Max could have simply apologized and said I'll try to be careful in the future.
Always liked Norbert , a straight talker, Max needs an advisor like Ralf Hahaha, ahhh F1 past wannabee no where near champions, f1 is full of them , well nearly full, kimi says nothing about f1 these days
One of the qualifications to be FIA President seems to be that you can make ridiculous decisons to alienate everyone! Past presidents who also excelled in in the art of making disastrous decisions and statements include Jean-Marie Balestre and Max Moseley. We thought Jean Todt heralded a refreshing change in attitude by FIA Presidents, however, Bin Slayem has taken the FIA back a couple of centuries! He is someone who has been deprived of any position of authority in his past, and now wants to show he is important and has power. The sooner he is replaced, the better for everyone, including the audience!
Norbert is absolutely correct ~ a storm in a tea cup. Obviously, Bin Slayem has little to occupy his time.
I won't miss his childishness nor his un-sportsmanship one bit. Let his dad take him into endurance racing so he can micro-manage his career with impunity.
I supported your comments 100%
It is a toss up who will finally sink this sport, the FIA or Liberty Media. SkysSports can also take a bow.
Susan, I would argue that Formula One ceased being a sport the day that Bernie made the copyright to prevent any other body or person from emulating the motor racing competition we love.
F1 is now a business, an entertainment business that's prime purpose is to make big profits for shareholders. Sad but true. Just like any business, it is susceptible to fail and disappear into oblivion!
Binmans whining again
The FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has claimed the sporting organisation does not receive enough credit for improving F1 and that everyone makes money out of the FIA except them.
The FIA is the body that oversees not just F1 but a wide variety of motorsport series and Ben Sulayem feels they do not get enough credit for the work they do.
Ben Sulayem succeeded Jean Todt as president in 2021 and although the presidency does not come with a salary, the FIA itself generates money through aspects such as teams’ entry fees and super licence fees.
But that is nothing compared to the money promoters have been able to make due to the rise in F1’s popularity, an aspect not missed by Ben Sulayem.
When you look at it, everybody made money out of the FIA, everyone except the FIA. Everyone gets the credit, except the FIA.
“It’s true. When I took over, we had a running operating cost of minus 20 million. Why? Because we have our income as everybody. But look at the promoters… And good on them and I congratulate them, they are smart enough to do that.”
Ben Sulayem went on to suggest that Liberty Media, owners of F1, were the ones benefiting the most and that if he was part of the negotiation to sell the sport to the Ame
rican company, he would have looked for a better deal for the FIA.
“But I’ll be very, very honest, as always. So Liberty Media did a great job in transforming Formula 1. If you tell me if I could go back in time, would I undo [that]? No way. I wouldn’t undo that, but I would just make sure that the FIA is two equals with them.
“They are a good promoter, they are. If you ask me today: is there anyone who is capable as much as them? I can see that [there isn’t]. I support them in what they are doing. The FIA works with them in the best [possible] way.
“But then, the regulations and the governance is the [work of the] FIA.
“And then, let everyone make money. Let the drivers have fun, race in a safe way and make money. And let the team principals make more money, [and] they are.
“But the FIA will never get the credit. Impossible.”
The guy is on another planet, Credit , since when did a regulator get credit for anything
Your last point is the most important - Regulatory Bodies aren't supposed to be in it for the money, fame or glory. They're supposed to be the impartial third-party with an unshakeable singleness of purpose. That is axiomatic.
As soon as that changes, the Regulator plummets off their moral and ethical high-ground. Mohammed Ben Sulayem is an idiot for even thinking it, and he needs to go.
Absolutely my points exactly, Binman thinks Fia is his own play thing , and his alone , wrong guy for the job but we are stuck with him unfortunately
He might throw his toys out of the pram and have a temper tantrum but that's all he'll do, end of story.
Swearing is a continental language now for FS and the FIA can stick that ruling . These are men not kids and i stand with Max.
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