Max Verstappen served his FIA punishment for swearing at the Singapore Grand Prix in October – ahead of officially being crowned F1 world champion for the fourth year in a row.
The Dutchman used an expletive during a press conference in Singapore as he described the performance of his Red Bull at the previous grand prix in Azerbaijan a week earlier.
Verstappen was ordered to « accomplish some work of public interest » and that came in Rwanda on Friday as he attended a motorsports grassroots development programme with young people.
Later on, the 27-year-old was recognised at the FIA’s prize-giving gala, handed his trophy by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem alongside Rwandan president Paul Kagame.
Verstappen was recognised at the FIA’s prize-giving gala on Friday
Verstappen won nine grands prix across the 2024 season and claimed 437 points as he became one of only six drivers to have won four or more titles since the championship started in 1950.
He said: « It’s amazing, four titles is definitely incredible. Of course I also hope it doesn’t stop here. I hope we can be successful for a longer period of time.
« This year the competition is very close, but then again in 2026 a lot is going to change. »
Nico Rosberg says it is ‘so hard to be friends’ when you are battling for a championship and that Lando Norris’ relationship with Verstappen may have to change
Verstappen clinched the title with two rounds remaining at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, having built an unassailable advantage over McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Norris, who helped McLaren secure their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998, collected his award for finishing runner-up, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took home his third-place trophy.
Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, whose seat looks under threat for 2025 after an extremely underwhelming season, was voted Action of the Year winner for an overtake in China but did not attend the gala in Rwanda.
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