Max Verstappen has been a vocal opponent of the rules around swearing brought in by FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem earlier this year, with the restrictions now set to be eased
FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem has confirmed he is considering making changes to the rules that see F1 drivers fined for swearing. The rule was brought in in January after the FIA updated its International Sporting Code.
The changes saw an appendix added for the penalties that stewards should award for various breaches including “any misconduct,” with sanctions ranging from fines to race suspensions and points deductions.
That followed the FIA taking action against both reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Ferrari star Charles Leclerc for swearing in press conferences last year. Ben Sulaymen made it clear he wanted to clamp down on drivers swearing.
But his moves drew fierce criticism from F1 stars, with Verstappen imposing a rule of virtual silence in FIA press conferences after his sanction. The Red Bull star was required to complete community service for the FIA as punishment for swearing.
The Dutchman branded his penalty “ridiculous” after it was imposed on him. And Ben Sulayem has now hinted he is ready to make a U-turn on his push to stamp out swearing from the sport.
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“Following constructive feedback from drivers across our seven FIA world championships, I am considering making improvements to Appendix B,” Ben Sulayem wrote in a statement on Instagram.
“As a former rally driver, I understand the demands they face better than most. Appendix B is a key part of the International Sporting Code and is central in helping keep the sport accessible for all our sporting family.
“Humans make the rules and humans can improve the rules. This principle of continuous improvement is something I have always believed in and is at the heart of all we do at the FIA.”
The full stewards guidelines cover penalties for breaches including: “Any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA”, “The general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality” unless approved, and “any misconduct” as outlined by the ISC.
The weight of the financial penalties, which started at €40,000 for a “misconduct” breach in F1, remain a point of concern for the Grand Prix Drivers Association. The updated sanctions are yet to have been enforced in F1 this season.
Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz swore in a press conference when discussing a penalty he received at the previous race in Japan, but was not referred to the stewards, meaning he escaped any action.
Ben Sulaymen’s reign as president has been dogged by a succession of negative headlines. His deputy president for sport Robert Reid resigned a fortnight ago and hit out at “a fundamental breakdown in governance standards within motorsport’s global governing body”.
MotorsportUK chairman David Richards has recently been critical of Ben Sulayem’s actions, saying he has had a “shift of moral compass”. The Emirati’s first term as president expires in December, with a challenger yet to come forward.
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