Bird: ‘Injustice’ to use FE for Verstappen’s public service

Sam Bird believes it was an “injustice” for the FIA to use Formula E for Max Verstappen’s public service as punishment for his altercation with Esteban Ocon at November’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

Verstappen attended Saturday’s Formula E race in Marrakesh to observe the FIA-appointed stewards for the first of two days of his FIA public service after pushing Formula 1 rival Ocon in the aftermath of the race at Interlagos.

Verstappen said in a statement that he found the day “constructive” but Formula E front-runner Bird said he was disappointed the FIA had used the electric series for the punishment, feeling it was hard on the series.

“I mean, to call coming to Formula E race ‘community service’ I think does Formula E a bit of an injustice,” Bird said in the post-race press conference, as quoted by racefans.net.

“It shouldn’t be a punishment to come here.

“I hope he enjoyed it and I hope he will give good feedback to some of his colleagues.”

Verstappen’s work with FIA-appointed stewards was in line with a similar sanction given to Sebastian Vettel in the wake of his clash with Lewis Hamilton at the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Vettel was also ordered to complete some work with the FIA stewards, appearing at their yearly pre-season conference by video link.