The International Automobile Federation (FIA) is under fire for allegations of inconsistent rule enforcement related to penalizing Formula 1 racers like Max Verstappen for profanity during races and press briefings. Critics, including Brandon Sutton and Ewan Gale from the Total Motorsport F1 Show, have expressed concerns over the implementation of these penalties, particularly for drivers whose fluency in English – the universal language of motorsport – is limited.
This criticism follows a recent demand from World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers for a meeting with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The drivers wish to discuss the contentious and controversial prohibition on drivers using profanity after Adrian Fourmaux faced penalties during this month’s Rally Sweden event.
Throwback to last year when Verstappen, the Red Bull driver and 2024 F1 world champion, used explicit language in a press conference, an act that resulted in a hefty fine of £33,000. The FIA also required Verstappen to perform ‘public service’. This punitive measure was met with backlash from Verstappen’s colleagues, as outlined in a statement released by the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GDPA).
While Gale concedes that there are noticeable differences between profanity during races and press conferences, and between WRC and F1 drivers, he finds the ban on profanity over team radios hard to comprehend. He argues that these are private conversations between the driver and the race engineer and can be edited for broadcast.
Disciplining drivers for using explicit language during press conferences, where no pressure exists, is more understandable, according to Gale. Drivers have ample time to choose their words carefully during these sessions. However, Gale felt that the FIA’s inconsistency in implementing this rule was evident when Charles Leclerc faced no repercussions for using explicit language during a press conference just weeks after Verstappen’s incident.
F1 enthusiast Sutton echoed Gale’s sentiments and took it a step further, suggesting that the FIA’s vague policy might unjustly punish non-English speaking drivers. He believes that while Verstappen deserved the fine for his language during the press conference, the imposition of such rules during races is unreasonable.
Sutton referenced the case of Yuki Tsunoda, a non-English speaking driver who learned English from his colleagues in the garage. Sutton argues that Tsunoda, who picked up the language and its nuances, including profanity, from his mechanics, should not be penalized for his natural use of the language.
Gale concurred with Sutton, emphasizing that the inability to express oneself in the English language should not put drivers like Tsunoda at a disadvantage. The current regulation, according to Gale, is inherently unfair.
In conclusion, the FIA’s attempt to clamp down on profanity in the motorsport industry is facing severe criticism for perceived inconsistencies and potential bias against non-English speaking drivers. Unless the FIA addresses these concerns, the controversy is likely to continue. The real question now is how the FIA will respond.