Formula 1 drivers have sharply criticised FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem over his calls for them to watch their language and demanded “transparency” over what the sport’s governing body does with the money it makes from fines.
The Grand Prix Drivers Association issued a statement on Thursday complaining about Ben Sulayem’s recent criticism of profanity used by some drivers, including during races on their radios. The statement also refers to the FIA’s clampdown on drivers wearing jewellery during races and compliance with regulations regarding fireproof underwear, which followed Ben Sulayem’s election at the end of 2021.
“There is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation,” said the statement.
Charles Leclerc was fined €5,000 during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend for swearing in an official FIA press conference at the previous round. Max Verstappen was ordered to perform an act of public work for the FIA after he swore during a pre-race press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.
However the drivers indicated they are unhappy with comments Ben Sulayem has made to and about them. “We urge the FIA president to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise,” they said. “Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.”
The drivers called for clarity over what how the FIA uses the money raised from fines levied on drivers and teams. The FIA increased the maximum fine it can issue them to €1 million this year.
“The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our sport,” they continued. “For the past three years, we have called upon the FIA president to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA’s financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent.
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“We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the sport. We once again request that the FIA president provides financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the teams and the GPDA) should jointly…
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