The Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) has issued a fiery statement addressing FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s recent clampdown on drivers swearing over the radio. The dispute began after Ben Sulayem urged Formula One Management (FOM) to reduce airplay of driver expletives, controversially stating, “we’re not rappers,” in a comparison that quickly fueled backlash.
This friction escalated when F1 stars Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc faced sanctions for language deemed inappropriate, with Verstappen ordered to perform community service and Leclerc fined post-race in Mexico City. Mercedes’ George Russell, warning the FIA of mounting frustrations, led the charge to release a formal GPDA statement in response.
The GPDA’s letter took a strong stance, urging Ben Sulayem to reconsider his own tone when addressing drivers, stating, “there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or an inanimate object like a Formula 1 car.” The drivers emphasized that such communication is natural, expressing disappointment at what they see as overzealous restrictions on their in-the-moment expressions.
In the letter, the GPDA emphasized the high stakes of racing and that “our members are adults…they do not need to be given instructions via the media about matters as trivial as wearing jewelry and underpants.” The GPDA argued that such messaging detracts from the spirit of F1 and casts an unnecessarily restrictive shadow over the sport’s larger narrative.
Financial transparency also took center stage, with the GPDA challenging the FIA on the fines imposed on drivers, many of whom have questioned where these penalties end up. For the past three years, the GPDA claims it has asked the FIA to clarify how and where these funds are allocated, expressing concern that the fines give the sport an overly punitive image. “We once again request that the FIA President provides financial transparency,” the letter read, underscoring the drivers’ demand for accountability.
The GPDA called for a collaborative approach moving forward, asserting that, “All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the Teams, and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our Sport.” As the world’s premier motorsport platform, the drivers emphasized that their sport deserves unified, respectful governance.
While this issue continues to simmer, the GPDA’s letter underlines a crucial turning point in the dynamic between the drivers and the FIA. As the statement concludes, “We are playing our part,” signaling that drivers are ready to work with the FIA, but on terms that recognize their professionalism, maturity, and dedication to the sport they love.
