FIA Announce Russell Penalty Verdict following…read more
Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell has voiced his strong opinion on the FIA’s recent decision to revise its controversial penalty system regarding swearing in the sport. The British driver, who also serves as the director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), didn’t hold back when discussing the governing body’s U-turn on what many had already labelled excessive disciplinary measures.
In 2024, the FIA implemented a harsh crackdown on profanity, particularly during official press conferences and public appearances. The most notable victim of this policy was reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who received a community service-style punishment after swearing during a press event at the Singapore Grand Prix.
However, just ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, the FIA has significantly relaxed these penalties. On Wednesday, it announced a new set of guidelines that reduce the punishment for a first offence to €5,000 (£4,200). Notably, the threat of a race ban for repeat offenders has also been lifted, signaling a more lenient and realistic approach moving forward.
Russell welcomed the changes but made it clear that such heavy-handed rules should never have existed to begin with. “We’re talking about a situation where things have been reversed because they were a bit ridiculous from the start,” he stated to the media, including GPFans. “Of course we’re happy that it’s changing, but it shouldn’t have been like this in the first place, if you know what I mean. So it feels a bit strange to be grateful for those changes when we shouldn’t have been in this situation in the first place.”
The original penalties had drawn heavy criticism from across the F1 paddock. Drivers were at risk of being fined up to €40,000 (£33,700) for a first offence and faced the extreme possibility of a race ban for repeated violations. This draconian policy led all 20 F1 drivers to unite in protest, co-signing an open letter to the FIA demanding to be treated “like adults.”
Russell has been at the forefront of this pushback, leveraging his position in the GPDA to put additional pressure on the governing body. His advocacy, combined with the united stance of the F1 grid, seems to have paid off.
Although the FIA has now softened its position on swearing, it has concurrently increased the fines for more serious conduct violations, such as public incitement to violence or hatred. Those offences will now carry penalties of €20,000 (£16,800).
In summary, while the FIA’s rollback on excessive swearing penalties is a welcome move for the drivers, Russell and his peers remain clear: these rules never made sense to begin with, and common sense has finally prevailed.
