FIA president weighs changes to F1's swearing penalties amid driver backlash
FIA President Ben Sulayem to Review Misconduct Penalties in Motorsport
The FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has announced his intention to reevaluate and potentially improve the regulations surrounding misconduct penalties—particularly those related to swearing—in Formula 1 and other motorsport series. The move follows tensions between drivers across multiple FIA disciplines and the governing body over strict language policies implemented earlier this year.
Ben Sulayem, whose term as FIA president comes up for re-election at the end of the year, revealed his consideration for revisions in a post on Instagram. "Following constructive feedback from drivers across our seven FIA world championships, I am considering making improvements to Appendix B," he stated. Referencing his past experience as a rally driver, he added, "As a former rally driver, I understand the demands they face better than most."
World Rally Championship Discussions and Rule Adjustments
Drivers in the World Rally Championship recently achieved progress in their discussions with the FIA, agreeing to divide events into "controlled" and "uncontrolled" zones, giving participants more flexibility during less formal moments. The compromise follows criticism from rally drivers over substantial fines handed down after infractions of the updated rules in Appendix B.
Appendix B was amended in January to enforce stricter penalties under the International Sporting Code. Misconduct—including offensive language or gestures perceived to injure the moral standing of the FIA or motorsport—can lead to fines that escalate with repeat offenses. A first breach could result in a €40,000 ($46,000) fine, increasing to €80,000 for a second offense and €120,000 with a suspension and potential championship points deduction for a third violation. While stewards retain discretion to consider mitigating circumstances specific to the context, the rules have fueled discontent across disciplines.
Formula 1 Drivers Voice Concerns
Formula 1 drivers, including reigning world champion Max Verstappen, have also taken issue with the updated restrictions. Verstappen, penalized for swearing during last season, voiced his frustration after this year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. "I cannot share my opinion about it because I might get penalized," he told reporters, highlighting the difficulty of balancing frustration with these sanctions.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz escaped punishment after using questionable language during a press conference earlier this month—a reminder of the stewards’ ability to weigh the situation’s nuances.
FIA’s Path Toward Rule Improvements
Ben Sulayem acknowledged the need for flexibility in the rules, emphasizing that they should continue evolving to reflect the realities of motorsport. "Humans make the rules, and humans can improve the rules," he noted. The FIA president hinted that further details on potential changes may emerge later this week as F1 prepares for its highly anticipated Miami Grand Prix.
Estonian rally driver Ott Tänak, the 2019 world champion, described recent discussions with the FIA as "very positive," signaling hope that drivers across motorsport will find common ground with the governing body.
With Ben Sulayem looking to strike a balance between enforcing professionalism and understanding the emotional demands of high-pressure competition, both the drivers and the FIA will watch closely for how these potential amendments impact the dynamic of motorsport moving forward.
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