Verstappen to help racers in Rwanda as penalty for swearing

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has been ordered to work with young racing drivers in Rwanda as punishment for using explicit language in a press conference.

The FIA, the sport’s governing body, said Verstappen would “undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club”.

Verstappen’s community service will take place in Kigali on Friday ahead of the FIA Awards show in the Rwandan capital, where he will officially receive the world championship trophy.

The 27-year-old was penalised for telling reporters his car was “fucked” in the build-up to the Singapore Grand Prix in September.

The incident triggered a row between FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the drivers’ union, which accused him of hypocrisy, while Verstappen staged his own protest by giving monosyllabic answers in his next press conference.

Verstappen rounded off his championship-winning season with a sixth-placed finish and another penalty in Abu Dhabi, after he was blamed for causing a crash with McLaren driver Oscar Piastri on the opening lap.

“I apologised to Oscar. I never want to crash with anyone, especially not Oscar who is a great guy,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports after the race.

Verstappen was given two penalty points, taking his total for the last 12 months to eight. If he receives another four points he will earn an automatic one-race ban.