Max Verstappen has served an FIA penalty for swearing at the Singapore Grand Prix in October – before he was officially crowned Formula 1 world champion for the fourth year in a row.
The Dutchman used an expletive during a press conference in Singapore as he described his Red Bull car's performance at the previous Grand Prix in Azerbaijan a week ago.
Verstappen was ordered to “carry out certain work in the public interest” He made this statement in Rwanda on Friday while attending a grassroots motorsport development program with youth.
The 27-year-old was later honored at the FIA Awards Ceremony, where he was presented by FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Verstappen was honored at an awards ceremony held by the FIA on Friday
Verstappen won nine Grand Prix races during the 2024 season and earned 437 points, becoming one of only six drivers to have won four or more titles since the championship began in 1950.
He said: “It's amazing, four titles is definitely incredible. Of course I also hope it doesn't stop here. I hope we can be successful for a longer period of time.”
“The competition is close this year, but again in 2026, a lot will change.”
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Nico Rosberg says it's 'very difficult to be friends' when you're fighting for the championship and Lando Norris' relationship with Verstappen may have to change
Verstappen clinched the title with two remaining rounds of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, after building an irreplaceable advantage over McLaren driver Lando Norris.
Norris, who helped McLaren secure its first constructors' championship since 1998, took home his award for second place, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was awarded third place.
And Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull, Sergio Perez, whose seat appears under threat for 2025 after a very disappointing seasonwas voted the winner of the Action of the Year Award for Transcendence in China but did not attend the ceremony in Rwanda.
