Verstappen explains extraordinary protest behaviour in Singapore press conference

Max Verstappen has explained his extraordinary behaviour during the official FIA post-qualifying FIA press conference.

After delivering a surprise qualifying performance around the Marina Bay Street Circuit where he will start second alongside F1 title rival Lando Norris on Sunday, Verstappen took up his place in the top-three session.

The responses posed to him by host Tom Clarkson, and then to the gathered media soon after, were short and perfunctory.

It was clear Verstappen had decided to take matters into his own hands after being handed what was effectively a 'community service' punishment for using the f-word to describe his Red Bull in qualifying in Azerbaijan during Thursday's official FIA press conference.

Indicating to the media on Saturday he would take questions outside, Verstappen then started to conduct an ad-hoc session, only to be reminded by the FIA media delegate Roman De Lauw of his television interview obligations.

Verstappen then said he would talk and walk along the paddock whilst making his way to the TV pen.

Asked whether his actions in the top-three press conference was in protest, he replied: "Well, I find it ridiculous what happened, so why should I then give full answers?

"Very easily you [could] get a fine or some sort of penalty, so I prefer not to speak a lot, say my voice."

Verstappen made an example of

As to why he felt the FIA had ordered him to "accomplish some work of public intertest", he pulled no punches.

"Because they want to set a precedent," he said. "People [in the past] got warnings or a little fine. Now with me, they wanted to set an even bigger example, I guess, which for me is a bit weird, of course.

"I didn't swear at anyone particularly, I just said one thing about my car, and they, I mean, yeah...it's in the code [referring to the International Sporting Code]. They have to follow the book.

"It's not on the stewards. I don't want to blame this on the stewards because I actually had a really good chat with them. They just have to follow the code in the book. I think they're quite understanding, but it's difficult for them as well."

As to whether he would see the stewards again for his latest behaviour, Verstappen said: "I answered [the questions]. You have to answer. I didn't do anything weird."

In terms of him feeling that in the 21st century a person is unable to express their emotions and feelings in an honest way, he added: "Not everywhere nowadays.

"I think what I said wasn't that bad. Of course, I get if you aim it [a swear word] at someone. I think that's bad.

"Of course, emotions can run high. That's still not okay. I understand that but I felt, like I said, it was ridiculous what was given to me."

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