Christian Horner said the FIA could have dealt with the Max Verstappen swearing row "slightly differently" as he compared the situation to a past incident involving the late Duke of Edinburgh.
Verstappen's use of the F-word during a press conference swiftly became the biggest story of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. But it would have been quickly forgotten had the stewards not handed him a community service-style punishment for his profanity.
The Dutchman conceded that the rules meant the stewards' hands were tied, but still showed his displeasure with the FIA's stance on drivers swearing. He staged a protest during later press conferences by giving short, one or two-word answers to all questions.
His team principal Horner believes the whole thing was taken too far. And to illustrate his point, the Red Bull chief compared the situation to an incident when the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, used similar language in public.
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Horner said: "I think Max has made his feelings clear on it. Of course, all these drivers are role models, but language that's used in everyday life, I think it would have been perhaps better dealt with slightly differently
"It would have avoided any awkwardness. He is a driver for whom English is not his native tongue, and we've seen members of the Royal Family telling photographers to 'take a f***ing photo', so reactions need to be relative."
Verstappen's father, former F1 racer Jos, was also critical of the FIA's actions. Asked about the situation at the East Belgian Rally, he said: "I think that is the most ridiculous thing, but we also see it in rally. I don't think the FIA is doing a very good job - but I won't say too much about this."
FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem sparked the conversation about swearing in the build up to the Singapore race weekend by calling for drivers to watch their language during an interview. And he insists the FIA will "never get credit" from its detractors as he launched a staunch defence of his organisation.
He told Autosport: "We'll only get rubbish, that I know. When you look at it, everybody made money out of the FIA, everyone except the FIA. Everyone gets the credit, except the FIA. It's true - when I took over, we had a running operating cost of minus 20 million... The regulations and the governance is the FIA, and then, let everyone make money.
"Let the drivers have fun, race in a safe way and make money. And let the team principals make more money - they are. But the FIA will never get the credit. Impossible."
