Max Verstappen arrived in Singapore determined to maintain his lead in the drivers' championship battle with McLaren's Lando Norris, and he leaves the Republic with two fights on his hands.
While Norris slashed Verstappen's lead to 52 points by taking victory at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, an eventful weekend off the track has meant that the Dutchman not only finds himself facing a battle on the tracks, but also off it.
The Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix weekend saw Verstappen making the headlines for the wrong reasons after being ordered by motorsports' governing body Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to "accomplish some work of public interest" for using an expletive during a press conference in Singapore on Sept 19.
On Sept 21, at the FIA press conference for the top three drivers in qualifying, Verstappen showed his displeasure at the punishment meted out by giving mostly monosyllabic answers.
He later called the situation "ridiculous" and criticised the FIA's approach, stating it was "not the right way to go forward in our sport".
Esta historia es de la edición September 23, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 23, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
On social media
CLOSE SHAVES ON STAGE: Hong Kong \"Heavenly Kings\" Andy Lau and Aaron Kwok gave their fans a scare at their respective concerts on Dec 27.
Playground for Birds and Squirrels
Hungarian artist Tamas Kanya (above) with the feeding ground he created for birds and squirrels in Budakalasz, a central Hungarian town, in November.
Gal Gadot diagnosed with blood clot in brain during pregnancy
Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who gave birth to her fourth child earlier in 2024, revealed that she was diagnosed with a massive blood clot in her brain during the eighth month of the pregnancy in February.
Taiwanese singer Vivian Hsu caught in Bukit Timah flash floods
Taiwanese singer-actress Vivian Hsu (right) was caught in the flash floods that occurred in Bukit Timah following an afternoon deluge across Singapore on Dec 29.
Yuewen Music Festival Complaints abound, but K-pop stars lift spirits
Complaints about the inaugural three-day Yuewen Music Festival held at Sentosa's Siloso Beach did not abate on its second day on Dec 29, as irate attendees continued to lash out about inconveniences related to bad weather.
4 places that remind me why travel matters
The writer visited Zambia, Alaska, Sicily and Venice to venture beyond her comfort zone
Usher in New Year in Japan like a local
Eat traditional food, visit a shrine and see the Japanese imperial family
New destinations for the new year
Up-and-coming places include Yunnan, Okinawa, Saudi Arabia and Tanzania
Lions Bring Back Belief But Still Need To Improve
The Lions' run to the Asean Championship semi-finals has reignited belief in the national team, said observers a day after Singapore's campaign was ended by Vietnam in the last four.
Be Bold Against The Old
Ogura dares younger Lions to stop being 'too nice' and fight for playing time
