Fernando Alonso breaks rank and tells Max Verstappen to 'control yourself' in row

Fernando Alonso has told Max Verstappen that he has a ‘responsibility’ to be a role model to fans, suggesting that the reigning world champion should learn to ‘control himself’ when under pressure in the cockpit.

Verstappen’s language has been a reoccurring debate throughout the season. The Dutchman came under fire after the Hungarian Grand Prix for a string of sweary and aggressive radio messages to race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and the Red Bull strategists.

Then, after refusing to back down from his stance in Budapest, Verstappen landed himself in hot water again in Singapore. After swearing during the Thursday FIA press conference, the Dutchman was handed a community service penalty, leaving the Red Bull driver furious and attracting the frustrations of most of the sport’s drivers.

Alonso was not in that subset though. Speaking at an Aston Martin sponsor event, he explained: “The fans give us a huge responsibility because we are role models for many people. So we have to behave well.

“You have to be prepared to be a role model when you want to be, and when you don’t want to be, as well. When you want to say something that is not correct, you have to control yourself, put on the brakes, and be politically correct.

“At this level, you realise that a lot of people are looking up to us. If you are a driver or someone else with a public function, you just have to behave. Fans can give you a lot of love, a lot of motivation, but there are also certain expectations. Sometimes you just have to hold back.

“The fans have to believe in you. They tell you ‘You are my inspiration, you never give up, you are a fighter’. This reminds us that there are so many fans in the world following Formula One and we must always keep that in mind. The fans give you so much love, motivation, but that comes with responsibility.”

This advice was different to that of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who told Verstappen during the post-qualifying press conference: “I think it’s a bit of a joke, to be honest. This is the pinnacle of the sport, mistakes are made. I certainly wouldn’t be doing it (the community service) and I hope Max doesn’t do it.”

Alonso’s view of Hamilton’s comments was clear. “Think of the moments when you don’t feel like training or don’t want to prepare for the next weekend,” he added. “You still have to do it. You have a responsibility to yourself, to your fans and to everyone who believes in you.”