The FIA has issued a clarification regarding its clampdown on drivers expressing political views.
The governing body of motorsport issued updated regulations for 2023 which forbade drivers from expressing any views which might be considered a violation of the FIA’s principles of neutrality, without seeking its permission in advance.
The move prompted widespread criticism from drivers including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon. Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director George Russell described it as a “silly regulation” which wasn’t needed.
With two weeks to go until the start of the 2023 F1 season in Bahrain, the FIA has issued a guidance note to competitors clarifying the new restrictions will only apply at certain times during an event. These will include limits during track activities such as the drivers’ parade and national anthem observance, during pre- and post-race activities such as on the podium and in the cool-down room, and during FIA press conferences, except when responding to accredited journalists.
An FIA spokesperson told RaceFans: “A guidance note has been issued to participants in international competitions that sets out the scope of the updates made to the FIA International Sporting Code in December. The updates cement the FIA’s longstanding commitment to protecting motor sport’s neutrality, and will particularly ensure neutrality during key moments across all motor sport competitions, such as podiums, national anthems and official activities ‘on the field of play’ – it does not impose any additional restrictions on individuals expressing their views outside of these times.
“The guidance note does not alter Article 12.2.1.n of the FIA International Sporting Code. It was necessary to provide a separate guidance document to facilitate the implementation of the principles of neutrality across the many different motor sport disciplines.”
The note stresses competitors “can express their views on any political, religious or personal matter” providing they do so outside of certain designated times. It also points out that “non-proselytising religious gestures, such as pointing to the sky or crossing oneself” – as Pierre Gasly regularly does prior to races – are permitted.
It gives 10 examples of political subjects which may land a driver in trouble if they refer to them “in the form of an image, symbol, gesture, words, or action.” These include references to “politically-associated or…
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