Mongolian Ambassador Confident Max Verstappen Will Be Punished For Using Ableist Slurs

Mongolia’s permanent representative to the UN has said he is confident that the International Automobile Federation will take action against Max Verstappen.

2020 Red Bull Max Verstappen - Formual1News.co.uk

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen caused a stir last weekend at Portimao after he called Lance Stroll a “retard” and a “Mongol” in FP2.

This prompted criticism from fans, Mongolian politicians and advocacy groups.

READ: Mongol Identity Still Waiting For Public Apology From Max Verstappen

And now, Formula1News.co.uk has learned that Lundeg Purevsuren, the ambassador and permanent representative of Mongolia to the UN, has sent an email to Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, and Tobias Moers, the CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda, to condemn Verstappen’s use of the ableist slurs.

“I regret the use of racist and unethical language in public by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen during the practice of the Portuguese Grand Prix of the Formula One World Championship on 23 October 2020,” Purevsuren wrote.

Continuing, the ambassador said: “Sport is considered a symbol of unity all over the world and I believe that there should not be any form of racial discrimination in sports.

“I support the ‘We Race as One’ initiative of the Formula One against racism. But due to the abovementioned incident, I doubt that this initiative meets the reality.

“I am confident that in order to prevent the recurrence of such unethical behaviour in sports, the International Automobile Federation will take actions against Red Bull driver Max Verstappen for his unacceptable behaviour of repeatedly using racist and derogatory language against any ethnic groups,” Purevsuren added in his email.

Ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen said: “I know the words I used were not correct. I never meant to offend anyone.”

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Previously, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the team doesn’t “condone” Verstappen’s use of the slurs, and media reports suggested they internally addressed the matter with the Dutch driver.

READ: Valtteri Bottas Takes Pole Position For Emilia Romagna GP At Imola