Mohammed Ben Sulayem has scrapped the FIA’s controversial guidelines on drivers swearing after uproar from F1 stars. Under the Emirati’s previous set of rules, drivers were liable for a £33,700 fine for their first swearing offence, £75,400 for a repeat offence, and £113,000 plus a one-month ban and a points deduction for a third offence.
F1 stars collectively wrote an open letter to the governing body in November asking that they be ‘treated like adults’. And they have finally got their wish. Ben Sulayem and co. have cast aside the old rules on swearing and set out considerably more lenient punishment terms.
Per the new guidelines issued to stewards on Wednesday, drivers are now liable to pay just £4,200 for a first swearing offence, and there is no danger of a ban or a points deduction. However, they have still been warned that stricter penalties could be applied for ‘very serious offences’.
George Russell will undoubtedly be pleased that, as the head of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), his demands were heard. Earlier this month he called the FIA into action after Ben Sulayem indicated in a social media post that he was ‘considering’ changes to the swearing guidelines.
“It’s being considered,” said Russell. “The words don’t mean anything until the change has been made. Collectively, we’ve not spoken any further since the open letter that was sent out.
“Whether that is the response I’m not too sure. It would be great if changes were made and the drivers were at least heard and it’s in the best interests of the sport, and ensuring some common sense is applied to it. We can comment on it when we see the action rather than the consideration.”
Charles Leclerc was fined £8,420 for swearing in a press conference after the Mexico City Grand Prix last year. Prior to that, Max Verstappen was handed an even stricter punishment for doing the same thing.
The Dutchman was ordered to carry out a form of F1 community service, which involved him working with junior motorsport competitors at grassroots level in Rwanda, after swearing in a press conference in Singapore.
The new FIA guidelines make a distinction between swearing in ‘controlled’ environments, such as a press conference, and ‘uncontrolled’ environments’, such as in the cockpit. Using foul language in ‘controlled’ environments will, in general, incur a stricter penalty.