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Drawing the Line on F1 Swearing: Toto Wolff Advocates for Respect Amid FIA Misconduct Fines Debate

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 1, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Nov 21, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas team principal Toto Wolff arrives for practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes Team Principal, has weighed in on the hot-button issue of swearing in Formula 1, likening the sport to the gentlemanly conduct of rugby. He voiced his opinions on the topic amid a wave of discussions triggered by the FIA’s introduction of a table of fines for driver misconduct, which now includes “words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA” in official settings.

Drawing comparisons with the dignified and respectful nature of rugby, Wolff called for the FIA to draw a distinct line between drivers’ use of colorful language within the confines of their vehicles and their conduct outside of it. He stated that while he is not in favor of censoring drivers, the context of their swearing should be taken into account.

The World Rally Championship has already seen backlash against this new disciplinary measure, following a hefty €10,000 fine levied against Adrien Formaux for an expletive-laden press conference earlier this year. If similar regulations were to be enforced in Formula 1, drivers could face even steeper financial consequences, a prospect that has sparked widespread debate.

Wolff, in a media briefing in Bahrain that included PlanetF1.com, expanded on his stance, emphasizing that the heat of the moment within a race could lead to drivers swearing, and that such outbursts should be overlooked. However, he argued that in official settings, such as press conferences, drivers should adhere to a higher standard due to their status as role models.

“We are a gentleman sport,” Wolff declared, highlighting the high-tech nature of Formula 1 and its difference from mainstream sports. “In rugby, nobody would ever say a word to an official, and I don’t think we should be swearing about officials either.”

Wolff argued for the importance of respect – for competitors, officials, and team members – and the need to avoid insults. He feels that there is a significant difference between using strong language as a reaction to one’s own driving and directing it at another driver, an official, or a team member.

While Wolff is against muting drivers and their emotions, he maintains that there should be a clear distinction between what is said in the heat of the moment inside a car and what is expressed during interviews or press conferences. As long as it’s not disrespectful or insulting to someone else, he believes such in-car outbursts should be let go, but he is clear that in more official settings, drivers should uphold the sport’s gentlemanly image.

With the FIA’s recent regulations and the ensuing debates, the line between passion and professionalism in Formula 1 is set to be more defined. And as the 2025 F1 testing in Bahrain unfolds, it remains to be seen how this ‘gentleman sport’ will continue to evolve its conduct both on and off the track.

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