Drivers protest against FIA swearing ban with race boyco… read more
Drivers in various FIA-sanctioned racing series have begun protesting the governing body’s recent stance on swearing, which includes imposing penalties for the use of inappropriate language. The FIA, which oversees major motorsport events like Formula 1, World Rally Championship (WRC), World Endurance Championship (WEC), and Formula E, has sparked controversy over how it handles swearing among drivers. This debate intensified after a series of controversial decisions throughout the 2024 F1 season.
The issue gained prominence when reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen received a community service-style punishment for swearing during an FIA press conference. This led to a wider discussion about whether drivers should be penalized for using “X-rated” language, with many questioning if such actions were overreach or if drivers needed to be more mindful of their language. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem further stoked the fire by suggesting that Formula 1 team radio, where drivers often vent their frustrations, should be censored to avoid airing inappropriate language during race weekends.
The controversy continued to ripple through motorsport when, following the 2025 Formula 1 season opener in Australia, Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, swore over his team radio. This outburst occurred after a difficult race with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Despite the incident, Hamilton was not penalized or fined, unlike Verstappen, highlighting the inconsistencies in the FIA’s enforcement of its language policies.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) has become the epicenter of protests against the FIA’s approach to swearing, with drivers voicing their discontent. In January 2025, the WRC season began with the famous Rallye Monte Carlo, followed by Rally Sweden, where the FIA’s stricter stance on swearing was felt in full force. During the event in Sweden, Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 for using inappropriate language during a post-stage TV interview. Additionally, Fourmaux received a suspended fine of €20,000. This penalty ignited backlash among WRC drivers, with many taking a stand against the FIA’s actions.
In response to the fines, WRC drivers organized a collective protest during the Safari Rally Kenya event. This protest involved limiting their participation in post-stage interviews, with drivers either choosing not to speak at all or responding only in their native language. The rally stars formed the World Rally Drivers’ Alliance (WRDA), a group similar to the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) in Formula 1, to represent their collective interests and voice their opposition to the FIA’s actions.
Ahead of the Safari Rally Kenya, the WRDA released a statement outlining their position. They emphasized the need to maintain a balance between reducing rudeness and allowing drivers the freedom to express their emotions. The drivers expressed their desire to keep the spirit of competition alive without fear of punishment for spontaneous or emotional reactions. They called on the FIA to revise its rules to accommodate this, seeking more lenient and reasonable regulations regarding language.
The WRDA concluded their statement by explaining that their protest was not meant to disrespect rally fans but to protect the integrity of the sport. They acknowledged that fans would understand their stance, as many shared their concerns about the restrictions placed on drivers’ ability to communicate freely. Through their protest, the drivers aimed to bring about positive change to the FIA’s language policy while ensuring their right to express themselves authentically during intense moments of c
ompetition.
