Max Verstappen is not fully committing to attending the FIA awards ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda this December.
Rwanda is not only a leading candidate for a future African Grand Prix, but it has also been selected as the location for the end-of-season FIA prize-giving event, which is mandatory for top drivers like the reigning triple world champion.
Verstappen's relationship with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been strained since he was penalized for using the F-word during an FIA press conference in Singapore. While there was a brief exchange between them after the sprint race in Austin, Verstappen said it was minimal.
"I didn't say anything more than 'hello'," Verstappen shared. "I didn't have much to say."
However, De Telegraaf reported that the tension with Ben Sulayem isn't the reason Verstappen is hesitant to commit to attending the gala in Rwanda. Instead, his concern stems from the outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in the country.
"We just have to wait and see if it's all safe there," Verstappen said, referring to the virus. "If there's nothing wrong, it's not a problem."
But Verstappen's concerns extend beyond the health risks. He also expressed dissatisfaction over the financial burden placed on drivers attending the event.
"The people there pay to organise it. For me, it's not so much a problem that it's being held there, but that everyone has to come at their own expense," Verstappen explained.
"Look, for me that's not an issue of course, but drivers from karting and other categories may not have that money and have to cough up everything themselves.
"If they want to hold it in Timbuktu, I think that's fine," Verstappen joked. "Although it would be good if this was looked into and it was reimbursed. Drivers are invited of course, but also obliged to go there. And then you have to pay for it yourself?
"I think that's a bit wrong," he concluded.
