Footage from onboard cameras captured Verstappen extending his middle finger as he passed the Williams pit wall.
During the final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, Max Verstappen was seen making a middle-finger gesture while driving through the pit lane. Initially, speculation arose regarding the intent behind the action, but it was later clarified as a playful exchange with Williams junior driver Luke Browning. Despite the FIA’s recent push to regulate driver conduct more strictly, Verstappen has not faced any repercussions for this incident.
Clarifying Verstappen’s Gesture
Footage from onboard cameras captured Verstappen extending his middle finger as he passed the Williams pit wall. Early interpretations suggested the gesture may have been directed at a photographer or another team. However, reports later revealed that it was simply a friendly greeting towards Luke Browning, a young Williams academy driver with whom Verstappen has a good relationship.
While some initially speculated that the FIA might step in given their updated guidelines on driver behavior, the governing body appears to have dismissed this as a non-issue, likely because of the lighthearted nature of the interaction.
FIA’s Stricter Conduct Regulations
In January, the FIA introduced revised regulations concerning driver behavior, which now include potential penalties for inappropriate gestures and language. Under these rules, drivers could face fines, race bans, or points deductions for conduct deemed unacceptable.
These new measures have already been enforced in other motorsport categories. For instance, World Rally Championship driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 for using explicit language in a post-race interview. This shows that the FIA is taking a firmer stance on maintaining a professional image across all its championships.
Verstappen’s History With FIA Sanctions
This is not the first time Verstappen has come under scrutiny for his conduct. Following the Singapore Grand Prix, he was penalized for using inappropriate language during a press conference. In response, Verstappen chose to limit his involvement in official FIA press sessions, instead opting to hold his own separate media briefings.
To satisfy his penalty, he was later required to complete a community service program, which involved engaging with young drivers in an FIA initiative.
Community Service in Rwanda
As part of his obligation following the Singapore incident, Verstappen traveled to Rwanda to participate in a youth driver training program. While in Kigali, he assisted in training young drivers as part of the Rwanda Automobile Club’s development program. This included assessing and driving locally constructed cross cars to help train aspiring racers and mechanics.
During his visit, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem praised Verstappen’s efforts, highlighting the positive impact he had on the young drivers. This initiative aligned with the FIA’s goal of using motorsport as a tool for development and education worldwide.
What This Means for the Future
The FIA’s decision not to penalize Verstappen for his gesture suggests they are taking context into account when enforcing the new conduct rules. While there is a clear effort to maintain professionalism in the sport, it seems that lighthearted moments, such as Verstappen’s interaction with Browning, are not being overly scrutinized.
As the new season approaches, drivers will need to remain aware of the stricter regulations. While the FIA has demonstrated some flexibility in its enforcement, there is no doubt that repeated or serious breaches of conduct will be met with significant consequences.
