In a decision that has sent shockwaves through the rallying community, FIA stewards have slapped Adrien Fourmaux with a €10,000 fine—plus a further €20,000 suspended for 12 months—after the French driver let slip a profanity on live television during the Rally Sweden power stage.
Fourmaux’s turbulent weekend had already been packed with drama. Once in contention for victory, he saw his hopes unravel after forgetting to fasten his helmet before a stage and later burying his Ford Puma Rally1 in a snowbank—errors that knocked him out of the leading pack.
On Sunday, Fourmaux fought back, strategically saving his tires for a last-gasp power stage attack, ultimately posting the fifth-fastest time and salvaging a single championship point. However, it was his words, not his driving, that landed him in hot water.
The Slip-Up That Cost €10,000
In a post-stage interview, an emotional Fourmaux didn’t hold back when describing his Saturday setbacks. “We f***ed up yesterday,” he admitted, unaware that his choice of words would soon ignite a regulatory firestorm.
The FIA stewards immediately took action, citing a breach of the 2025 FIA International Sporting Code regarding inappropriate language in public broadcasts. Summoned to explain himself, Fourmaux apologized, stating that he had simply used the phrase in a colloquial and descriptive manner, without any intent to offend.
Yet the FIA was unmoved by the explanation. The official stewards’ report made it clear:
“The Stewards reminded the Driver and the Team Representative of the stance of the FIA regarding not only inappropriate language but also verbal/physical abuse, and making/displaying political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its Statutes.”
The governing body acknowledged that such expressions are commonly used in everyday speech, but insisted that they remain “widely regarded as profanity and inappropriate in public discourse, including live television broadcasts.”
Strict FIA Rules Take Center Stage
This ruling has reignited debate over the FIA’s strict stance on driver conduct in media appearances. In recent years, the governing body has cracked down on unsanctioned statements, political gestures, and unscripted moments that could reflect poorly on the sport.
While Fourmaux’s words were hardly controversial in a broader sense, they violated the FIA’s code of conduct, leading to swift disciplinary action. The €10,000 fine is immediate, while the additional €20,000 penalty will hang over him for 12 months, enforceable if he repeats a similar offense.
Where Does This Leave Fourmaux?
For Fourmaux, this fine is a gut punch in an already frustrating weekend. The Frenchman has been looking to establish himself as a serious contender in the 2025 WRC season, but small errors—and now a costly slip of the tongue—have hampered his momentum.
Meanwhile, the FIA’s ruling serves as a stark reminder that every word spoken on live broadcasts is under scrutiny. As the championship heads to Safari Rally Kenya (March 20-23), all eyes will be on how teams and drivers handle the media moving forward—because in today’s WRC, words can cost just as much as mistakes behind the wheel.
