Verstappen To Serve His 'Work Of Public Interest' Penalty Next Week

Monday, 09 December 2024 at 20:00

Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen will serve his community service penalty in Rwanda, where the 2024 prize-giving ceremony will take place.

FIA announced that the organization agreed with the four-time World Champion Max Verstappen to serve his penalty (for using offensive language during the FIA press conference) ahead of the 2024 prize-giving ceremony, as per PlanetF1.

The 2024 Prize Giving Ceremony will take place on the 13th of December in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. It is also here where Verstappen will "accomplish something of public interest." The official statement from FIA read:

"The FIA has announced the details of Max Verstappen's "work of public interest" duty linked to the Stewards' penalty for the use of unacceptable language during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix drivers' press conference."

"Verstappen will travel to the FIA Awards Ceremony which takes place as part of the General Assemblies next week in Kigali, Rwanda to collect his fourth consecutive FIA Formula One World Championship trophy."

Read also

Verstappen After Abu Dhabi: 'Most Important Thing' Was To Apogogize To Piastri

"While in Kigali he will undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC).

"The activity will involve an FIA Affordable Cross Car which was built locally in Rwanda by the RAC from blueprints provided by the FIA.

"Design blueprints for the Level 2 category Affordable Cross Car project have been delivered to the global network of 147 National Sporting Authorities (ASNs).

The Dutchman initially boycotted the controversial penalty that he received by refusing to answer questions at the official FIA press conferences properly but changed this approach after he returned from the Autumn break.

Fellow World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who has also had a conflict with FIA in the past, even advised Max Verstappen not to serve the penalty.

For a long time, it was unclear if he would. The 27-year-old was also fully focused on his F1 season. However, it seems that he is ready to serve his penalty now as the 2024 Championship is officially over after the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, where he finished in P6.