Max Verstappen, three-time world champion and one of the most influential drivers in Formula 1 today, has sparked controversy once again. This time, not with an epic overtake or a brilliant Red Bull strategy, but with his forceful statements directed directly at Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA. The Dutchman has said out loud what many drivers and fans have been muttering: the current rules are absurd, restrictive, and unacceptable.
What exactly happened?
During the last Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked about the new sanctions imposed on drivers who use inappropriate language or harsh language during grid interviews. His response was clear, direct, and unfiltered: “This is no longer a school. We’re in the most demanding motorsport in the world. We need the freedom to express ourselves.”
His words, which quickly went viral on social media, were perceived by many as a genuine public “humiliation” of Ben Sulayem and the FIA itself, whose recent decisions have been harshly criticized even by personalities within the paddock.
Ben Sulayem’s “image cleanup”
Since taking over as FIA president, Ben Sulayem has attempted to project an image of control, order, and modernization. However, these measures have generated more opposition than support. Fines for spontaneous statements, extremely strict codes of conduct, and censorship in certain contexts have created an authoritarian image that doesn’t fit with the rebellious and passionate essence of Formula 1.
In recent weeks, and under both internal and external pressure, Ben Sulayem is said to have begun to “soften.” It has even been leaked that he is considering relaxing some of these rules following criticism from Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and other renowned drivers.
Fan reaction: fire on social media
It didn’t take long for the fan reaction to erupt. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, thousands of F1 followers flocked to support Verstappen. Phrases like “Thank you Max for saying what we all think!” and “Freedom of expression for drivers NOW” were echoed globally.
On Facebook, several fan groups have launched petitions calling for the FIA to review its regulations and focus more on safety and performance, rather than imposing “gags” on the stars of the show.
Is it too late to change?
The big question many are asking now is whether this change in the FIA’s stance will come in time to calm the waters. For some young drivers, like Lando Norris and George Russell, the current rules have already created an environment of self-censorship. Others, like Fernando Alonso, have expressed concern about the growing bureaucracy that is alienating the sport’s most dedicated fans.
Max Verstappen, known for his firm character and outspokenness, seems to have lit a spark that could ignite a small revolution within the paddock. And if the FIA leaders don’t react quickly, they could face a quiet but powerful rebellion from the drivers themselves.
A new era of freer pilots?
What is clear is that Formula 1 is at a crossroads: continue down the path of institutional rigidity or usher in a new era in which the drivers, the true stars of the show, can speak, feel, and live with authenticity.
Max Verstappen hasn’t just been giving a masterclass on the track for years, he’s now doing so in front of microphones as well. And with millions of fans behind him, his message has resonated beyond the track.
