F1 star breaks rank with stern warning to Max Verstappen and says ‘you have to control yourself’
FERNANDO ALONSO has broken ranks and told Max Verstappen to “control himself” with his swearing.
The Red Bull driver was handed a community service penalty for saying his car was “f***ed” in a press conference in Singapore two-weeks-ago.
It came after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem compared swearing drivers to rappers and said they could be hit with penalties.
Most drivers on the grid, including Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, showed their support for Verstappen.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton slammed the “joke” punishment and encouraged Verstappen not to take part.
Aston Martin driver Alonso said: “The fans give us a huge responsibility because we are role models for many people. So we have to behave well.
“You have to be prepared to be a role model when you want to be, and when you don’t want to be, as well.
“When you want to say something that is not correct, you have to control yourself, put on the brakes, and be politically correct.
“At this level, you realise that a lot of people are looking up to us. If you are a driver or someone else with a public function, you just have to behave.”
Verstappen, 27, was also in the spotlight for effing and blinding on the team radio at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
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Following the Dutchman’s punishment drivers expressed their concerns on the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) WhatsApp group.
Alonso added: “Fans can give you a lot of love, a lot of motivation, but there are also certain expectations. Sometimes you just have to hold back.
“The fans have to believe in you. They tell you ‘You are my inspiration, you never give up, you are a fighter’.
“This reminds us that there are so many fans in the world following Formula One and we must always keep that in mind.
“The fans give you so much love, motivation, but that comes with responsibility.”
The next race is the United States Grand Prix in Texas on October 20 with McLaren now top of the constructors’ pile after overtaking Red Bull.
Meanwhile, Norris trails Verstappen – who is winless in eight races – by 52 points with six races left.