Instead, Verstappen chose to speak more openly with journalists outside the official press conference room – a pattern he repeated under the floodlights of Singapore late on Sunday.

"I have no need to give extensive answers if the FIA treats me like this," Verstappen explained, after receiving a penalty that included a day of community service for swearing in Thursday's FIA press conference.

"I know I have to answer, but there is no indication of how long my answers have to be," he added.

Many, including the 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, found Verstappen's protest and press conference behaviour "very entertaining and funny."

"On the one hand, my daughters are watching, so I think it's good that we pay attention to the language," he told Sky Deutschland. "But on the other hand, they're gladiators. We want them to show their emotions."

"They should just put the beeps over it. What's wrong with that? As for Max, if I were fighting for the world championship, I don't know if I'd put so much energy into something like this. It's just a distraction," the former champion added.

However, for Verstappen, it's more than just a minor distraction. The 26-year-old admits that the swearing issue is making the idea of retirement more appealing.

"Formula 1 will continue without me, but my life will also continue without Formula 1," the Dutchman told journalists after the FIA press conference on Sunday.

"It's strange because I've never had a bad relationship with the FIA. This year I even did volunteer work with young people. I always try to help. I never say no when they ask for something."

"Then this? No, that's not how it works. But apparently, it's the direction this sport is heading. The wrong direction. It's quite soft. And super stupid," Verstappen said.

"I can't be myself anymore. Well, then, I'd better stop talking.

"But I don't think anyone wants that. Because then drivers are robots. And that's not how it should be."

"What on earth is this fuss about? How about we please stop this?" he added.

Verstappen revealed he plans to take a complete break from Formula 1 during the long gap between the Singapore and US Grands Prix.

"No Formula 1 for me for two weeks. Then we'll see in Austin. But I will always remain myself, and I will not change my attitude and behaviour," he insisted.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who has been linked with a potential team move for Verstappen in 2026, was asked if he thought the FIA's treatment of the Red Bull driver was unfair.

"I don't think anyone listens to the FIA press conference anyway," Wolff replied. "I don't think it's even written about much. There's hardly anyone there, except all of us. We're all part of this Formula 1 circus. We all know each other, and I don't think using the F-word in a press conference is that bad."

"If it really is that bad, we all need to change our language, including the team bosses," Wolff concluded.