FIA finally confirm the 'community service' Max Verstappen will have to complete after swearing penalty

Max Verstappen's 'community service' penalty has been confirmed by the FIA after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Verstappen was punished for swearing in a press conference before the Singapore Grand Prix in September.

The Dutchman boycotted his official media duties in the press room for the rest of the weekend but instead spoke to press members in the paddock instead.

The FIA confirmed that Verstappen had been given an obligation to participate in 'work of public interest', although did not elaborate on the exact nature of that work.

Following the end of the 2024 season, however, F1's governing body has confirmed the exact nature of the 'community service' that the reigning four-time champion will complete.

He is set to attend the sport's annual prizegiving ceremony, which will be held in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, next week.

During his stay, he is set to work with junior drivers as part of Motorsport Rwanda's 'grassroots development programme'.

The full statement reads: "The FIA has announced 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.

"While in Kigali he will undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by Motorsport Rwanda.

"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)."

Image: Twitter/@FIA

An Affordable Cross Car, as per the FIA's own website, 'forms the base of the off-road and rally pyramids, offering an entry point for young or amateur drivers to start developing their skills, much in the same way that karting is the starting point for circuit racing'.

The project created two new classes of racing developed by the FIA, with design blueprints for the cars made available free of charge to 'keep costs at a minimum'.

Rwanda has never hosted a Formula 1 race but representatives did hold talks with the FIA at the Monaco Grand Prix over the subject, FIA president Stefano Domenicali confirmed.

Domenicali told Motorsport.com that holding a race in the African nation - which would represent a return to the continent that last hosted an F1 race in 1993 - was a 'serious' option, and added: "They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September. It will be on a permanent track."