Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has been punished for swearing in a news conference in which he argued against greater restrictions on drivers swearing.

Lewis Hamilton agrees there is too much swearing but says there is 'a racial element' to FIA president's reference to 'foul-mouthed rappers' Max Verstappen said Formula One should not air team radio if the sport was concerned about bad language after the head of the governing FIA compared drivers to foul-mouthed rappers.

Formula One already beeps out bad language on the global television feed, with some drivers in the past also deliberately swearing in radio exchanges with the pit wall to prevent information being broadcast more widely. Verstappen suggested the FIA was fighting a losing battle anyway.