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Post by charleselan on Oct 28, 2020 11:52:25 GMT
I have been reading about and listening to some interesting radio conversations over the past few days. However firstly I would like to comment on a feature I saw elsewhere on a motor sport site about Max Verstappen's recent outbursts.
The feature homes in about some of the grossly offensive comments uttered by Verstappen during last weekends Portuguese Grand Prix, most of it directed at Lance Stroll. The writer was asking the question as to why Max is allowed to get away with coming out with some of these offensive remarks which centred around his calling Stroll a "retard" and "mongol" after a practice coming together.
Now anyone who has a good understanding of the English language will know that the former word is an offensive term used to describe someone who is educational and emotionally challenged. A person who sadly was born with these disabilities and who should in no way be referred to in a disparaging manner. The latter term is a slang insult directed at a person who suffers from the horrific condition known as Down's Syndrome. Apparently not the first time he has used this word to disrespect someone as he called Garry Connelly the FIA steward this when pulled up for circuit violations at the 2017 US GP.
One of Verstappen's excusers said that the term "mongol" was commonly used in Holland and did not have the same reference as in the English language; maybe René can comment. However I will say that as it was spoken in English and has a worldwide understanding I find that hard to believe.
The point here is that at no time has Verstappen been reprimanded for these obscene and offensive outbursts which in fact bring the whole sport into disrepute. This is yet another case of a driver due to their popularity being immune to discipline. Max Verstappen has had a "free pass" throughout his F1 career and i still cannot forget that disgraceful bit of driving at Spa.
From my perspective he need slapping down hard, his arrogance is becoming more abundant and will grow. He should have been penalised for the clash with Perez, many others would have been.
Radio expletives are understandable with the oft "F" word being used, and I don't have an issue with that but the terms used by Max are unacceptable and remind one of a petulant child in the school playground.
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Post by René on Oct 28, 2020 14:40:51 GMT
JC,
I only read about Max’s outbursts after the race on Autosport (good article and good they brought it to the attention). Like you, I was appalled. As mentioned in the article, it’s not the first time Max uses words like these and I’m afraid it won’t be the last time as I see clear traits of his dad.
I think I’ve mentioned it here before but this is exactly the reason why I wasn’t a fan of Jos and why I’m not a fan of Max. In the car, Max can be very impressive with his speed and aggressive racing style but out of it he can be rude and arrogant. Not always, sometimes he’s witty and sharp but there’s this blunt side of him which I just don’t like. I sincerely hope he never signs for Ferrari, I would struggle with that.
As for that person who claims that the term "mongol" is commonly used in Holland and does not have the same reference as in the English language, I can only say he’s an idiot who speaks nonsense. Of course it has the same reference as in English and it’s just plain rude. His claim says a lot about him and his friends I guess. It’s most certainly not commonly used in The Netherlands.
Max should be reprimanded for these outbursts but no-one is doing or saying anything about this. He’s commercially too important by now which is sad. And he’s obviously not man enough to appologize, unlike Lando Norris who did say sorry for some hard words he said in the heat of the moment. On the contrary, Max only says he doesn't care...
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Post by Carl on Oct 28, 2020 16:51:45 GMT
While I hate the cruelty of physical ridicule when directed at innocents, here are the booking photos of psychotic mass murderer Richard Speck.
The great historian Edward Gibbons noted that sometimes barbarians appear at the gates
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Post by charleselan on Oct 28, 2020 17:16:29 GMT
Many thanks for that confirmation René, I had a feeling the word would have had a similar meaning and reference. Personally speaking I find Max Verstappen to be one of the most unappealing personalities ever to grace the world of International Motor Sport. He seems to have all the charm of a brick wall and whose arrogance knows no bounds. Obviously it is an opinion based purely upon his public persona and maybe in private life he is a charming young man. However when you compare him with the likes of Charles Leclerc; George Russell; Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz one can clearly see what is missing. If Max had anything about him he would make a public apology for the remarks that he has made and any offence caused by these words, a real man would. I do not think you have to fear anything regarding Verstappen driving for Ferrari René, not as long as Charles is there anyway  . |
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 29, 2020 9:09:03 GMT
Thanks Charles for bringing it up and Rene for providing confirmation. Simon Lazenby was quite agitated about it on S*y but he did not elaborate nor mention those two words. I find it utterly disgusting. I have been finding Max less and less likeable as this season has matured, maybe the constant pumping up of him by the media has got to his head. After this, and having a friend who has a Down's Syndrome son and the struggles he and his wife have gone through, any respect for Max has now gone.
Charles you mention that Max's private persona maybe nice. I don't care. In this modern media age whereby sports stars are feted and lifted to god like status and who use social media to their own ends, then I believe they should be censured on their Media persona. If they cannot bring their public persona to align with their private persona then they must get assessed on their public one. Red Bull should publicly censure Max or face being judged in the same light.
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Post by chrisb on Oct 29, 2020 10:19:35 GMT
that is appalling, an utter disgrace and a scandal, I would go further to say anyone but Max would have been sacked for such comments, he truly does deserve a slap for that, and echo everyone's sentiments that is just disgusting, I would also advocate him doing some community work with people with learning difficulties and see their personalities and their happiness as well as their struggles, really really upset and annoyed that someone of his so-called standing should use these archaic words of hate - really upset
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Post by charleselan on Oct 29, 2020 14:46:24 GMT
The FIA should "grow some" and throw the book at the ignorant little scrote. No doubt Mr Feeble Horner will try and bring out his usual mealy mouthed attempts of excuses; "it was said in the heat of the moment' cr*p. Just remember his response with "Multi21".
Those words are imbedded in Verstappen's psychy, and that is why they are used with such indifference; he seriously needs re-educating.
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Post by chrisb on Oct 30, 2020 7:02:25 GMT
yes John Charles, that is what is so upsetting, these are words people don't use anymore and to use them to describe someone is just so unbelievable and so pathetic, and to actually have them in your vocabulary is damming, especially when there are some wonderful terms out there that are insulting without resorting to these appalling terms, such as 'twit' and 'idiot' both of which I would direct at Mr V
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Post by charleselan on Oct 30, 2020 12:48:31 GMT
I was going to let rip again on this Chris as I am so disgusted by what Verstappen said. I am appalled that so little is being mentioned about it on any motor sport sites, the only one broaching the subject is Motorsport.com. It makes me wonder if they are trying to cover it up, and hope it goes away.
I bet any money that had it been Lewis who had come out with something like this it would be all over the press, both sporting and international, Lewis of course would not have even contemplated something like this.
As you correctly say there are many other insults that could have been used, some a lot stronger than those you highlight but not as archaically repulsive as the ones used by Verstappen.
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Post by René on Oct 30, 2020 13:58:25 GMT
Like father like son I'm afraid, foul-mouthed and aggressive. Max seems more controlled most of the time but sometimes this nasty trait shows. I don't believe he has ever been in the problems his father was but it's still a mentality issue. I could make the list longer.
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Post by chrisb on Oct 31, 2020 11:08:31 GMT
apparently Max has apologised but it is as muted as the coverage, and the team have come out and said it was unacceptable, that felt as genuine as a slap with a wet fish,
somehow Rene, I am not in the least surprised, and yea there is something going on there that prompts a person to do these things - possibly all about control, being in control, not having control, not very impressive
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Post by charleselan on Oct 31, 2020 11:59:07 GMT
From what I have read it was no apology but more akin to the one put forward so controversially by the UK Home Secretary a while back e.g. "I am sorry you feel that way". Jos Verstappen not the nicest person on the planet by all accounts, shame Alan Jones wasn't still around when he was in F1, or Nigel Mansell who apparently had a vice like grip  . To this day I cannot understand how he landed the second Benetton alongside Michael. |
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Post by chrisb on Nov 1, 2020 10:46:49 GMT
I understand Jos and Michael were friends but aside from that I am not sure,
From what I read Mongolia is asking the FIA to investigate and is calling for action,
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. To this day I cannot understand how he landed the second Benetton alongside Michael.