Max Verstappen's comments during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may have further strained his relationship with the FIA.
The reigning world champion, already facing scrutiny for his language earlier this season, will fulfill a community service penalty by meeting with young drivers in Rwanda later this week. He was set to visit the country to collect his championship trophy but now faces fresh controversy.
After being handed a 10-second penalty for a first-lap collision with Oscar Piastri on Sunday, Verstappen reacted on team radio: "Could we ask for 20 seconds? Stupid idiots."
This outburst has led many to speculate that the FIA may consider additional sanctions for the insult directed at the stewards. Explaining the incident, Verstappen later admitted fault: "I tried to pull out of it, but we touched. Of course, that's my mistake.
"For me, the most important thing was to apologise to Oscar, because I had nothing to lose or gain, and he's also a friend of mine. I don't want another bad relationship going into the winter break.
"I went straight to Oscar as soon as I got out of the car. It was my mistake," Verstappen added, joking, "I expected maybe twenty seconds or thirty seconds, or a stop-and-go penalty or something even more."
When asked if he would discuss the matter further with the FIA in Rwanda, Verstappen joked: "Maybe I can talk about it with the FIA there."
Heading into the 2025 season, Verstappen will start with eight penalty points on his super license, leaving little room for error as accumulating 12 points triggers a one-race ban.
"Maybe I'll make sure I'm on twelve when the baby is born," Verstappen quipped. "Then I can go on paternity leave.
"I don't understand these penalties anymore, but it's fine. I'm not going to get angry about it because it's not worth my time. I'm just going to enjoy the holiday."
Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko weighed in on Verstappen's controversial 'stupid idiots' comment, admitting: "That wasn't very diplomatic. But I also thought it was a case of 'let them race,' especially as we are talking about the first lap.
"But he got two (penalty) points here and is now on eight, so we have to be careful. Certain stewards give more severe punishments, but that's a problem that everyone has. More consistency would be better."
When asked whether Verstappen should face penalties for his remark, Marko defended his driver, saying: "It's the emotions, and in the heat of the moment you usually don't think very diplomatically. So maybe they shouldn't broadcast everything.
"In football, not everyone has a microphone always in their mouth. And I don't want to know what kind of comments they are making either."
As for what Verstappen is looking forward to during the winter break, he took another lighthearted jab at his season's challenges.
"Not driving this car again," he joked. "Put it in the museum and don't touch it again."
