F1 chiefs make major change to controversial swearing punishment after Max Verstappen led furious backlash

FORMULA ONE’s governing body has reduced the penalties for drivers swearing or blasting officials after a huge backlash from the grid.

The maximum sanctions for using X-rated language has been reduced by 50 PER CENT ahead of the sixth race of the season at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.

GettyMax Verstappen has often been on the wrong end of the rules since they came in[/caption]

The ‘base fine’ level for penalties handed out for driver misconduct, including F-bombing...