AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

FIA Faces Criticism Over Inconsistent Swearing Ban Policy and Alleged Bias Against Non-English Speaking Drivers

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
February 27, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Red Bull Under FIA Microscope: No Violations Found in Height Adjustor and Tyre Cooling Investigations

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Italian Grand Prix - Circuit of Monza, Monza, Italy - August 30, 2018 General view of the FiA logo REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini/

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.

Share213Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Motorsports

Rally Portugal Showdown: Rovanpera Resurgence Threatens Evans’ WRC Lead Amid Hyundai’s Challenge

The World Rally Championship is gearing up for an intense gravel season with the highly anticipated Rally Portugal kicking off...

by Carl Harrison
May 14, 2025
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Struggle: Battling Internal Turmoil and External Disappointment
Motorsports

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Struggle: Battling Internal Turmoil and External Disappointment

Lewis Hamilton's Struggle at Ferrari: Will Imola Bring Redemption? Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, is facing a challenging adaptation...

by Carl Harrison
May 14, 2025
Williams F1 Vows No Repeat of Dramatic Team Order Chaos: Guaranteed Resolution!
Motorsports

Williams F1 Vows No Repeat of Dramatic Team Order Chaos: Guaranteed Resolution!

In a recent Formula 1 Grand Prix, tensions flared between drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz over team orders, causing...

by Carl Harrison
May 14, 2025
Kevin Harvick Praises Dale Jr.’s Leadership as JR Motorsports Eyes Full-Time Cup Series Future
Motorsports

Kevin Harvick’s Bold Prediction: Team Penske Driver to Dominate 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race

Revolutionary Predictions: Shocking Revelation of the Favorite Driver to Win the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race In the heart of the...

by Publisher
May 14, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News

Rally Portugal Showdown: Rovanpera Resurgence Threatens Evans’ WRC Lead Amid Hyundai’s Challenge

May 14, 2025
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Struggle: Battling Internal Turmoil and External Disappointment

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Struggle: Battling Internal Turmoil and External Disappointment

May 14, 2025
Williams F1 Vows No Repeat of Dramatic Team Order Chaos: Guaranteed Resolution!

Williams F1 Vows No Repeat of Dramatic Team Order Chaos: Guaranteed Resolution!

May 14, 2025
Kevin Harvick Praises Dale Jr.’s Leadership as JR Motorsports Eyes Full-Time Cup Series Future

Kevin Harvick’s Bold Prediction: Team Penske Driver to Dominate 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race

May 14, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks
x