Max Verstappen was handed a ‘community service’ penalty by the FIA stewards for using inappropriate language during a press conference at the Singapore GP two weeks ago.

The reigning champion, currently leading the points standings, made the remarks when asked why his teammate, Sergio Perez, was faster than him during the previous race in Baku.

“I don’t know, man. Different set-up. So as soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f***ed,” Verstappen said.

His comments followed a statement from FIA president Ben Sulayem, who emphasized that "F1 drivers are not rappers" and called on drivers to avoid swearing both in press conferences and over race radio communications.

In reaction to the penalty, the Dutchman kept his responses short during official FIA engagements for the remainder of the weekend and opted to organize informal media gatherings in the paddock instead.

At this point, based on Verstappen's comments, it's unclear whether he'll repeat the same actions and boycott the FIA again during the US Grand Prix weekend.

"Let's first take a break from it all, from F1 - for at least two weeks - and go again in Austin, see where we are," said Verstappen quoted by RacingNews365.

"I will always be myself. I will not, because of that [what happened in Singapore], change how I am in my life, but also how I am operating here [in F1]."

Verstappen is currently leading the championship, 52 points ahead of Lando Norris, as the 2024 F1 season enters its final stretch with 6 races and 3 sprints to go.