Featured Image Credit: Max Verstappen/Getty
Topics: Max Verstappen, FIA, Mercedes, Formula 1
Tom Jenkins
Topics: Max Verstappen, FIA, Mercedes, Formula 1
Max Verstappen took a dig at Toto Wolff during a live stream following the Mercedes team principal's controversial comments about his X-rated team radio messages.
Despite the incredible on-track action during 2024, Verstappen's language provided a high amount of drama.
The Dutchman was handed community service by the FIA for swearing during a Singapore GP press conference after referring to his car as 'f**ked'.
The likes of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc also swore during FIA media in the races that followed, however, the pair avoided the same punishment as Verstappen.
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The drivers were all in support of Verstappen and even released a joint statement accusing the FIA of ignoring the real issues.
However, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, steward Johnny Herbert and Mercedes boss Wolff, supported the decision to cut out bad language.
Despite the drama dating back to September, Verstappen has clearly not forgiven those who stood against him and made a cheeky dig at Wolff while streaming during the off-season.
During a recent Team Redline stream one of Verstappen's teammates swore over the mic, and Verstappen wasted no time in replying: “Dom, you cannot swear like that. I wouldn’t want my five-year-old to see that.”
This was a direct dig at Wolff who had previously claimed his own son had started swearing due to the X-rated language used by F1 drivers.
“I have a seven-year-old that go-karts and that watches everything,” the Mercedes chief said via The Express.
“It is the first time, a few months ago, that he said, ‘What the f**k’, and I said, ‘Where did you hear that from?’
“He said from the drivers. So I have my conflicts with Mohammed, but in that instance, the drivers, all of the drivers, are role models. They are on air and they are entitled, and they are empowered.
“I disagree with many of the other things that he came up with, but on that one, I think if you translate ‘f**k’ into your own language or my language, it is pretty rude. I would never say that on the radio.
“George [Russell] and I, and Lewis had this conversation, and they know I don’t like it. So I am perfectly fine that we are really able to limit that. There are a handful of drivers, some native, some not, that come out with the things and, for me, I would be happy to sanction that even more. That’s just my opinion," he concluded.
Despite his views on the World Champion's language, Wolff had made it clear throughout 2024 that his ideal replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes would have been Verstappen.
However, the German team instead opted for teenager Kimi Antonelli, who could beat Verstappen's record as the youngest-ever F1 winner if he wins either of the first four races.