Max Verstappen swears. Not all the time, but when he does, he does it well. Or perhaps too well, according to the FIA. His direct style, his emotional reactions – they make him both loved and controversial. But why is swearing such a sensitive issue in Formula 1? And why does a swear word in your native language always feel different than in a second language?
Verstappen vs. the FIA: language police on the track?
The FIA has tightened the rules regarding language use. Swear words, insults, or “inappropriate language” can be punished with fines or even suspensions. Verstappen, known for his blunt statements, had a dry response: “Maybe I’ll just start swearing in Limburgish, see if they understand that.”
It’s a classic Verstappen remark: sharp, stubborn, and with a hint of rebellion. But it touches on a deeper theme: how language, emotions, and norms converge on the world stage.
Why swearing in your native language feels different
Swearing isn’t just about shouting a few curse words. It’s rooted deep in our emotional core. Psychological research shows that people react much more intensely to swearing in their native language than in a second language. Why? Because your mother tongue is connected to your early emotions, your upbringing, and the norms you were taught.
Just think of a Dutch speaker saying “fuck.” It doesn’t feel half as crude as “godverdomme,” does it? And a Brit will drop a “shit” more easily than a heavy “bloody hell” in front of the Queen. In a second language, swearing feels almost like acting: the words have less impact, less weight.
Taboo words and culture: what’s allowed where?
Not every country views swearing the same way. In the Netherlands, people swear using diseases like “tyfus,” “kanker,” and “klere” (short for cholera); in Belgium, they swear by God and the devil; in America, it’s more often about sex and body parts. In Japan, there is hardly a culture of swearing, while in Italy, it’s almost an art form.
And in Formula 1? There, swearing is primarily a matter of image. Sponsors want clean-cut athletes; the media loves ‘bad boys.’ So when Verstappen shouts “What a fucking idiot” over the team radio, it gets magnified. As if emotion has no place in a sport where you’re hurtling around a track at 300 km/h.
The line between passion and professionalism
Should Verstappen adjust his language? Perhaps. Swear words are taboo words; they can make others uncomfortable. However, with swear words, the intention is often to make the other person uncomfortable, resulting in a sense of relief for yourself.
Sport is about passion, about raw emotion. And a swear word fits that, but elite sport is also about visibility and setting a good example…
Perhaps the question isn’t whether Verstappen should stop swearing, but whether we can teach him to express raw, real, unfiltered emotions in a different way.
And as I type and reflect on this, I know Max would say: “Oh, whatever.” His response to a journalist was telling:
“Maybe I should just start swearing in Dutch and not in English,” the reigning champion replied.
“Or in Limburgish, that’s even better. What is an example of a swear word in Limburgish?”
“Of course I’m not going to say that now!”
