Formula 1 has never been a sport for the faint of heart. High stakes, high speed, and high emotions have always been part of the drama. But now, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem wants to take one element out of the equation—swearing.
With new misconduct guidelines coming into effect for the 2025 season, drivers could now face fines, suspensions, or even points deductions for inappropriate language over team radio.
And the paddock isn’t happy about it.
A Swearing Ban? F1 Reacts to the FIA’s Controversial Move
Ben Sulayem’s latest ruling is another step in his growing effort to control driver behavior, following previous warnings about potential penalties for bad language.
- Fines will start at €10,000 but could rise to €80,000 for repeat offenses.
- A one-month suspension or loss of championship points could also be applied for “moral damage” to the FIA.
- Live team radio broadcasts could even be delayed or censored to prevent expletives from being aired.
The FIA President doubled down on his stance, telling media in Madrid, Spain:
“Will we then switch off live communication by radio? Perhaps. Are we delaying it? Maybe. We are still the owners of the championship.”
Unsurprisingly, this isn’t going over well with fans or the F1 paddock—and Red Bull’s Calum Nicholas isn’t holding back.
Red Bull Mechanic Blasts FIA’s Priorities
Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas was quick to criticize the FIA’s decision, calling out the lack of perspective in policing on-track emotions.
“In the pits, we don’t think he really wants to offend us,” Nicholas told TalkSPORT.
“When we hear drivers using strong language on the radio, we have to remember that they are under enormous pressure.
“People say that drivers should be role models for children, but as a parent, I feel that responsibility is mine.”
And he’s not alone.
Many within the sport are questioning why the FIA is focusing on censoring language instead of addressing bigger issues—like stewarding inconsistencies, track limits chaos, or improving driver safety.
Was This Rushed Through Without a Vote?
Perhaps the most shocking part of the swearing crackdown is how it was pushed through.
- Reports indicate that the decision was made via an “e-Vote” rather than a Formula 1 Commission meeting.
- Some FIA members were allegedly unaware of the vote until after it had already passed.
- The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) has previously warned Ben Sulayem about his handling of driver relations, and this move will likely further strain that relationship.
Could this lead to pushback from teams and drivers before the season starts? Given how vocal the grid has been in the past over controversial FIA rulings, don’t be surprised if this becomes a talking point heading into Australia.
Final Verdict: Will the FIA Really Deduct Points for Swearing?
With the 2025 season kicking off on March 14 in Melbourne, the swearing ban is officially in place.
But will it actually be enforced?
- Will the FIA really risk deciding a championship over a frustrated F-bomb?
- How will they determine intent—especially in the heat of battle?
- Will teams fight back against such a vague and potentially unfair penalty system?
At a time when Formula 1 is booming worldwide, fans and insiders alike are wondering:
Is this really the fight the FIA should be picking?
