Max Verstappen has voiced his opposition to the FIA's new measures to curb "negative comments" by Formula 1 drivers and team members.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently highlighted on social media his "fight against online abuse," linking the rise in hostility towards FIA officials to critical remarks from those within the sport.
"At the last World Motor Sport Council, members approved a change to the definition of misconduct ... following incidents in which high-profile members of our sport have made statements towards officials that incite abuse," he elaborated.
Ben Sulayem has called on F1 stewards to "show that the FIA will not allow abuse of any kind within our sport."
When questioned about these new regulations, Verstappen expressed significant displeasure.
"First of all, I would say that they shouldn't broadcast the radios, then," he suggested to De Telegraaf newspaper. "Then you have already solved a large part of the problem."
The Red Bull champion argued that it's unreasonable to regulate what drivers say.
"In every sport, something bad will be said about a certain decision, only not every sport has a microphone under their nose," Verstappen argued. "Now people hear everything and they can talk about it on social media. That is where it starts."
The 26-year-old noted that drivers also face daily online abuse.
"This isn't just about officials, but something that plays a role in sports in general, right?" Verstappen remarked. "That's why I think it shouldn't just be about the stewards and the FIA."
"When I read something like that I think 'fine, I get it', but it's a problem that many more people have to deal with," he concluded.
