'We'll become robots': Max Verstappen fires up over controversial swearing ban
Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen has vowed not to change his behavior despite the threat of fines totalling north of $200,000.
Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, introduced new rules for 2025 which will ban drivers from swearing over team radio.
A first "misconduct" offence will carry a $69,052 fine (€40,000), a second $138,104 (€80,000) with a suspended one-month ban, and a third a recommended $207,156 (€120,000) fine, one-month suspension and a deduction of championship points.
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The ban has been widely condemned by fans, drivers and pundits alike.
Speaking on Nine's Weekend Today on Saturday morning, Verstappen said he won't be changing his antics.
Max Verstappen has spoken out against a controversial new swearing ban. Getty
"It's better not to think about (the fines), to be honest," he said.
"At the end of the day, I don't stand here and tell you how to behave or what to do in life, so for me that won't change."
Verstappen said the rules would turn drivers into "robots".
"On the race track with these new rules, you don't really get the real driver in front of you, which is a bit of a shame," he said.
"I think at the end of the day it's about emotion in sport that you like to see, and when we all become robots it's not very nice.
"But I guess we have to deal with that now."
