Mohammed Ben Sulayem has doubled down on his war against swearing despite the vocal protests of Max Verstappen and other F1 drivers, demanding they ‘respect’ the FIA and its wishes.
The 63-year-old launched a plan to stop drivers from swearing on the team radio during races last season, explaining that the stars of the sport had a duty as role models to young viewers and drawing a comparison between swearing racers and ‘rappers’ – a comment that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton slammed.
In line with the FIA’s new stance, reigning champion Max Verstappen was hit with a community service punishment at the Singapore Grand Prix after swearing during the Thursday press conference. This verdict caused uproar in the paddock and led to protests from the Dutchman.
“They are our ambassadors and must send clear messages, avoid such behaviours, and set an example,” Ben Sulayem stated. “We cannot allow them to use ‘swear words’ as they must respect the FIA.”
The FIA president also touched on the tweaks to article 12.2.1 in Appendix B of the international sporting code. In 2025, Ben Sulayem is looking to crack down on driver language, introducing significant new punishments.
The section addresses the following: “Any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally on the interest of motorsport and on the values defended by the FIA.”
Following the regulation changes, drivers can be fined between £33.800 (€40,000) for their first offence and £101,400 for their third offence. Alongside the financial penalty, there is also a potential sporting cost.
Repeat offenders could be hit with a one-month suspension from racing and a deduction of championship points. This would have disastrous consequences on a title challenge should an F1 driver suffer such a fate.
“I experienced that and also wanted to succeed, but discipline is very important,” Ben Sulayem continued. “We are not here to punish anyone; we are here to promote good sport and set an example.
“If athletes use ‘swear words’, children will not want to follow that sport, and their parents will advise them to stop watching it, and this must be avoided. If they want to say those words, let them, it’s not our business, but they should not use the FIA platform.”