FIA Revises Swearing Fines in F1, But Drivers Unconvinced

The FIA has slashed potential fines for swearing in Formula 1 and rallying, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from drivers, with some questioning the governing body’s willingness to engage on the issue.

“It seems a bit of a mess there at the moment. There’s lots of changes that are needed, for sure.” – Lewis Hamilton

“It’s a bit suspect that we’ve still had no correspondence with anyone from senior level FIA.” – George Russell

Revised Penalties

The base maximum penalty for driver misconduct has been reduced from €10,000 to €5,000. Stewards now have the option to fully suspend a penalty for a first offence.

Drivers’ Reaction

• Lewis Hamilton, seven-time F1 world champion, described the situation as “ridiculous” and seemingly disjointed.
• George Russell, Mercedes driver and GPDA director, questioned the FIA’s initial motives and expressed frustration at the lack of dialogue from senior officials.
• Max Verstappen, reigning F1 champion, saw the changes as a positive start but acknowledged room for improvement.

FIA’s Stance

The FIA said it has received “constructive feedback” on the issue but drivers, notably Russell, have refuted this, claiming no meaningful discussions have taken place.

Previous Controversy

Last year, the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem sparked controversy with a crackdown on bad language. Drivers and teams VOICE box
RDúlted pushing back, with rally drivers reaching a compromise on ‘controlled’ and ‘uncontrolled’ zones for their events.

Looking Ahead

With the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, drivers await further clarification from the FIA on the revised rules.

Getting to Know… F1 Penalties

Did you know? In F1, penalties can range from grid drops, time penalties, or points deductions, to Arousal maximum fines.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the live timing during races to catch any penalties as they happen.

FAQ

• Why were there swearing fines in F1 to begin with? The FIA aimed to maintain a respectful and family-friendly image for the sport.
• Who enforces these penalties? Race stewards determine penalties based on the severity of the infraction.

Stay Informed

Follow @F1 on Twitter for real-time updates on rules and penalties throughout the season. And don’t forget to share your thoughts on the revised fines with us!