FIA's new regulations: F1 drivers risk severe penalties for misconduct

Dominika Jordan
Jan 23, 2025, 08:01 AM ET

Strict regulations introduced by the FIA could see Formula 1 drivers facing hefty fines, point deductions, and bans for swearing or publicly criticizing the sport's governing body.

In an updated edition of the International Sporting Code (ISC), the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has outlined the recommended punishments for various types of misconduct by competitors. These regulations aim to uphold the integrity and values of motorsport by addressing inappropriate behavior among drivers.

The newly defined term "misconduct" includes a broad range of actions: "the general use of language [written or verbal], gesture and/or sign that is offensive, insulting, coarse, rude, or abusive and might reasonably be expected to be perceived as such." This definition also extends to physical assaults and the incitement to engage in such behaviors.

A new appendix in the ISC details the recommended penalties, while also allowing stewards to consider mitigating circumstances. For F1 drivers, the penalties for misconduct are as follows:

First offense within a two-year period: €40,000 ($41,600) fine.

Second offense: €80,000 fine and a suspended one-month ban.

Third offense: €120,000 fine, a one-month suspension, and a deduction of championship points

Similar levels of punishment are recommended for actions that cause "moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members, or its executive officers, and more generally on the interests of motorsport and the values defended by the FIA."

These guidelines follow past incidents that prompted the FIA to clamp down on swearing. Most notably, reigning world champion Max Verstappen was mandated to complete "work of public interest" after using a profanity during a news conference at the Singapore Grand Prix. Verstappen fulfilled this penalty by participating in a grassroots motorsport project in Rwanda ahead of the end-of-season prize-giving ceremony in Kigali.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc also faced disciplinary actions last year for similar misconduct. Leclerc was fined €10,000 for swearing during a news conference in Mexico, with half of the fine suspended for one year. The stewards noted that Leclerc's immediate apology contributed to a lesser penalty compared to Verstappen's earlier incident.

As the sport continues to grow its global audience, these stringent measures underscore the FIA's commitment to maintaining a professional and respectful environment both on and off the track.