Verstappen in Center of F1 Storm over Socially Insensitive Comments, 'Not My Problem'

From Autoweek

• Lance Verstappen went off on a socially insensitive rant after contact from Racing Point driver Lance Stroll during a practice session in Portugal.

• Red Bull team principal Christian Horner defended his driver.

• So far, neither F1 nor the FIA have not issues any penalties.

Culturally insensitive insults that in the United States might result in loss of sponsors or even a ride (just ask Kyle Larson), apparently aren't a scrutinized in Formula 1.

Verstappen's radio cries of "retard" and "mongol" after contact in practice with Lance Stroll in Portimao is attracting international attention. But apparently not enough to lead to any penalty, as of yet anyway, from the FIA or Formula 1.

Red Bull has told Max Verstappen to be more careful with his insults against rivals in future.

"Was the whole team briefed on your We Race As One initiative?" wondered Unro Janchiv, Mongolia's cultural envoy, in a tweet directed at Red Bull. "Max Verstappen must have clearly missed it."

Verstappen was heard over team radio saying, "Is this f***ing guy blind? What the f**k is wrong with him? Jesus Christ. What a retard. I have damage. What a mongol. I swear."

Verstappen was later asked if he was concerned that Formula 1 broadcast his comments.

"Not my problem," was Verstappen's response.

And his team boss Christian Horner said, "Emotions run high and this sort of thing is also just Max's character. We can't forget that there is a lot going on during a session."

However, there were also reports that Helmut Marko, the man most immediately in charge of Red Bull's F1 drivers, told Verstappen that his comments were actually "unacceptable."

When asked by De Limburger newspaper to expand on that, Marko revealed: "We have told Max that this should not happen again in the future. This was really a no-no."

What do you think? Should Verstappen be penalized? Start the discussion in the comments section below.