Martin Brundle has questioned why Max Verstappen is "allowing himself to get distracted" by his fight with the FIA over the use of inappropriate language in F1.
The Dutchman was ordered to partake "some work of public interest", akin to community service, after saying the F-word during the FIA drivers' press conference on Thursday of the Singapore Grand Prix.
Hours prior to the incident, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had voiced his dissatisfaction with the use of bad language in F1, which Verstappen was also outspoken about.
After the 26-year-old's stewards-mandated punishment, Verstappen took to limiting his answers in subsequent press conferences, and opted to stage his own impromptu media scrums inside the F1 paddock instead.
To some, it overshadowed an excellent weekend on track for the three-time drivers' champion, and Brundle worries the off-track storm could serve as a distraction in the midst of his title fight with Lando Norris.
"I'm not sure why Max is allowing himself to get distracted and dragged into the swearing battle with the FIA," the former F1 driver wrote for Sky Sports F1.
"It's wasted energy and serves no good purpose for him, but he still largely wouldn't answer questions in the press conference post race."
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F1 drivers have a 'responsibility'
Verstappen qualified second at the Marina Bay Street Circuit and held position in a race in which more was not possible for Red Bull.
But whilst that result will be seen as a win for Verstappen, given his team's relative struggles in Singapore in recent seasons, Brundle believes the 61-time grand prix winner did not coat himself in glory with his antics, arguing he has a responsibility as a role model to so many.
"The drivers are not kids I accept, and we know they'll sometimes swear in an attempt to have radio messages not transmitted, and of course they will also say 'don't broadcast our radio calls if you don't like the language'," the 65-year-old explained.
"It may be street language, but they represent themselves, their families, their country, their team, global sponsors, F1 itself, and broadcasters worldwide.
"They are icons, champions, opinion formers, and they should think about the responsibility which comes with that privilege, especially with so many young fans watching.
"Nobody wants to take any energy, emotion, or freedom of speech out of it, but gratuitous swearing away from the heat of the moment is not necessary."
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