Max Verstappen has on occasion employed a playful middle finger. Like in 2020, when the target was friend and now-F1 rival Lando Norris. Last season, it was aimed at a Ferrari fan in jest. Now, the Dutchman has been caught raising his middle finger whilst driving his Red Bull down the pit lane at the Bahrain International Circuit during F1 pre-season testing. It appears the person he saw was taking a photo of him. How it was intended may also be a matter for the FIA, and how the governing body interprets the gesture. It is looking more closely at swearing this season, amid the stricter stewards penalty guidelines, and other actions that could bring motorsport into disrepute. Update: Verstappen will not be punished for this 'offence'. Winter testing is not an event attended by FIA stewards and so the new rules do not apply here. For the same reason, Russell was not punished for using the word 'shit' on Wednesday. View the moment in question here .
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