Budgie Nine get a dressing down… but walk free after apologising for F1 antics

Nine Australians who stripped down to their underwear at the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix have walked free from court after apologising for their behaviour. The men, nicknamed the Budgie Nine, pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance when they appeared a Malaysian court on Thursday. One of the nine - who appeared dressed in suits - read out an apology in court, admitting to an “error of judgement”. Another fainted briefly owing to dehydration. Judge Harith Sham Mohamad Yasin called their conduct “totally inappropriate” but set them free because of their apology, their youth and the fact they had already spent four days in custody.

We had no idea our conduct would be deemed inappropriate, crass or even downright offensive to the citizens of this country

Thomas Whitworth, one of the Budgie Nine

The nine were arrested after they were spotted swigging beer from their shoes and stripped down to their Budgy Smuggler-brand swimming trunks decorated with the Malaysian flag. Their celebration of countryman Daniel Ricciardo’s victory drew an outcry on social media, with many calling it a sign of disrespect and demanding they be jailed. In the end, prosecutors sought a minor public nuisance charge, which brings a small fine. The judge freed them without further punishment but told them: “It hurt the feelings of all Malaysians to display the flag in such a manner.”

They clearly offended the Malaysians. So they did something wrong. One has to respect the culture and I think they just made a mistake that was impromptu

John Walker, father of Jack Walker, who is government adviser

Asia-Pacific