Max Verstappen’s Marshawn Lynch moment

At Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLIX, Seattle Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch took a seat in front of the assembled media members in Phoenix. After a brief introductory statement — that made clear his intentions — Lynch took their questions.

He then provided the same answer to each one.

“I’m just here so I won’t get fined,” replied Lynch.

For over five minutes this went on, etching Lynch’s name into legendary status in the sport. Along with, of course, his incredible play on the field:

Saturday night at the Singapore Grand Prix, Max Verstappen had his own Marshawn Lynch moment.

The Formula 1 driver was summoned to meet with race officials after F1’s Media Day on Thursday ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. The reason? During Thursday’s FIA Press Conference Verstappen was asked about the setup of the RB20 at last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and his response was somewhat direct.

“So as soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f***ed.”

Verstappen was summoned to meet with race officials, and following that meeting, a decision was issued requiring that he perform some level of community service for what was considered a breach of Article 12.2.1.k of the FIA Sporting Code, which addresses “misconduct” in language used at public forums. Verstappen did apologize for the language.

Then came Saturday night. As one of the top three finishers in qualifying, Verstappen joined pole sitter Lando Norris and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton at the post-qualifying FIA Press Conference. His answers were Lynch-esque, particularly this sequence:

Question: What did you change overnight? Because it seems there’s been a big difference in performance lately.
Max Verstappen: A lot.

Q: Can you elaborate in terms of what you did?
MV: No, I might get fined or get an extra day, so...

Q: Well, are you confident, Max, with the race pace?
MV: Maybe.

Q: I mean, how much of a step into the unknown is the race given the problems you had yesterday in practice?
MV: It’s an unknown. Yeah.

Q: Tell us about lining up…
MV: This is not towards you, don’t worry. I don’t want to upset you.

Q: We’re fine. But can you just tell us about lining up alongside Lando then tomorrow in terms of the championship battle and your tactics in the race?
MV: I will find out tomorrow.

When the floor was opened up to questions from media members, Luke Smith from The Athletic had the first, he asked Verstappen about the setup changes to the RB20.

His response?

“I would prefer if you ask these questions outside the room.”

And that is exactly what happened. Verstappen left the FIA Press Conference and held an impromptu presser with assembled media following that session. This is rather unorthodox, because at F1 races the top three finishers are required to do TV interviews following the official FIA Press Conference, but are not required to meet with the written media members on site.

Yet here was Verstappen doing just that:

A note to readers on Apple News, you can see the above post from Threads by clicking on the link.

During that FIA Press Conference Saturday night both Norris and Hamilton backed up Verstappen. Hamilton even recommended that Verstappen not participate in any community service, noting that if it were him, he would not participate.

“Yeah, I think it’s a bit of a joke, to be honest,” said Hamilton. This is the pinnacle of the sport. Mistakes are made. I certainly won’t be doing it, and I hope Max doesn’t do it.”

Norris, Verstappen’s friend and rival, made a joke at the outset that Verstappen “deserved” the punishment, before letting his true feelings be known.

“He deserved it. Foul language, so ...,” began Norris.

“I think it’s pretty unfair. I don’t agree with any of it.”

Somewhere, Marshawn Lynch agrees.