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FIA’s Ben Sulayem Threatens to Silence Team Radios in F1—A Power Move or a War With Drivers?

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Max Verstappen Slams FIA Over ‘Childish’ Penalty for Swearing Ban

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - December 1, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has hinted at a radical move—potentially banning live team radio transmissions from F1 broadcasts amid his crackdown on driver language.

The shock revelation came during an FIA officials summit at Circuito del Jarama, where Ben Sulayem suggested that live radio could be shut down or delayed to curb the transmission of on-air expletives.

“Do we go on and then shut down the radios of live communications? Maybe. Do we delay it? Maybe,” he said, as reported by SoyMotor.

This bold stance has immediately reignited tensions between F1’s governing body and the drivers, who have been outspoken against Ben Sulayem’s strict policies since 2023.

The Swearing Crackdown—Where It All Started

Under Ben Sulayem’s leadership, the FIA introduced new misconduct regulations in 2023, allowing for hefty fines and penalties on drivers for bad language or behavior deemed inappropriate.

The first high-profile victim? Max Verstappen, who was slapped with a one-day community service order for swearing during a Singapore Grand Prix press conference.

Shortly after, Charles Leclerc became the second driver to face punishment, receiving a $10,000 fine—half of it suspended—for swearing at a media event in Mexico City.

While some saw these penalties as minor disciplinary measures, others viewed them as overreach by the FIA, leading to a growing rift between the drivers and Ben Sulayem.

Silencing Team Radio—A Step Too Far?

Live radio transmissions have long been a crucial part of F1’s entertainment, offering fans a raw, unfiltered insight into the heat-of-the-moment decisions, frustrations, and strategies of the sport’s elite drivers.

Currently, radio messages are broadcast with a short delay, allowing F1 broadcasters to bleep out any profanity before it hits mainstream audiences. However, premium subscription packages offer real-time team radio feeds, something that could be heavily impacted by Ben Sulayem’s latest proposal.

If the FIA fully bans live radio transmissions, it could strip away one of the most dramatic and authentic elements of Formula 1.

Drivers vs. FIA—A War Brewing?

The relationship between F1 drivers and Ben Sulayem has been frosty for months.

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) formally criticized Ben Sulayem in November, urging the FIA President to “consider his own tone and language” after he controversially likened drivers’ radio communications to “rappers.”

That remark sparked racism concerns, particularly from Lewis Hamilton, further deepening the divide between the drivers and the FIA.

Ben Sulayem dismissed the GPDA’s concerns, bluntly stating that how he runs the FIA is “none of their business.”

With his latest move to potentially censor team radios, the battle lines are once again drawn—and drivers are unlikely to stay silent on the matter.

The Verdict: A Dangerous Precedent?

While cracking down on excessive swearing may seem reasonable, silencing live team radio could set a dangerous precedent.

F1 is at its best when it’s raw, emotional, and unscripted—and muting one of the sport’s most genuine elements could alienate fans while further fueling tensions between the FIA and the drivers.

The 2025 season hasn’t even started, but Ben Sulayem may have already ignited the first major controversy of the year.

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