Formula 1’s drivers have called for FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to “consider his own tone and language” through a Grand Prix Drivers Association statement, in the wake of controversy over swearing.
A statement posted upon the GPDA’s Instagram page outlined a collective statement from its members, showing unity with Max Verstappen as the Dutchman was given effective community service by the FIA for swearing in Singapore’s Thursday press conference.
Charles Leclerc was also fined €10,000 (approximately £8,334) for swearing in Mexico’s post-race press conference, half of which was suspended for 12 months on the provision that there were no repeat offences.
It also stated that the FIA should be more willing to treat the drivers as adults, referencing the media missives handed out during 2022 on wearing jewellery in the car – which appeared to be targeted at Lewis Hamilton.
The statement read that, although the drivers accepted that they must abide by the “referee’s decision”, the GPDA wished to collaborate with F1 and the FIA to ensure that all decisions are to the benefit of the championship and its spectacle.
The GPDA also suggested that it was unhappy with the levying of driver fines, particularly as it felt the use of those fines was not fully transparent.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA, congratulates Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
It asked that Ben Sulayem should “provide financial transparency” for the application of any money accrued from fines, and that all stakeholders should be in agreement of where to put that money.
Furthermore, the GPDA cited that it felt it was playing its part in helping to ensure F1 was well promoted for the benefit of everyone involved in the championship – and called upon other stakeholders to do the same.
Of the current drivers, George Russell is a director of the GPDA, as is four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. Former F1 driver and two-time Le Mans 24 Hour winner Alexander Wurz is currently the GPDA’s chairman.
The GPDA statement in full
GPDA Statement regarding “Driver Misconduct”
As is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the referee’s decision, whether they like it or not, indeed whether they agree with it or not. That is how sport works. The Drivers (our members) are no different, and fully understand that.
Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of…
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