Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, has softened its stance on the use of bad language by drivers, significantly reducing the penalties and granting stewards more flexibility in how such infractions are handled. The move is seen as a notable concession after months of friction between the FIA and drivers, particularly regarding the rigid approach initially taken under the leadership of president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The original policy, introduced following an incident at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix where Max Verstappen was penalised for swearing in a press conference, was widely criticised by drivers and team personnel. Many felt the rules were overly strict and disconnected from the realities of a high-pressure sporting environment. The drivers, especially through the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), expressed frustration at being treated like children and demanded transparency over where the fines were going.
The controversy intensified when Ben Sulayem compared drivers’ use of language to that of rap artists—a comment interpreted by some, including Lewis Hamilton, as being racially biased. This further alienated the drivers, who issued a unified call for reform and accountability from the FIA. Despite the drivers’ public statements, the FIA had remained largely unresponsive, creating a sense of impasse between the governing body and the sport’s key figures.
In a shift of tone and policy, the FIA has now reduced the base maximum fine for swearing from €10,000 to €5,000. Additionally, stewards will now have the authority to suspend fines for first-time offences. Importantly, the previously enforced escalating fines and the looming threat of competition bans have been scrapped, though the possibility of “serious penalties” for egregious misconduct remains in place.
Another crucial change is the increased discretion given to race stewards in distinguishing between incidents that occur in “controlled” and “non-controlled environments.” This distinction acknowledges the emotional intensity of live competition, such as when drivers are in the heat of battle on track, versus the more composed setting of media interactions. Drivers have long argued that the unique pressures and live broadcast nature of their in-race communication should not be judged by the same standards as formal appearances.
The FIA’s stewards chief has explained that this framework will better guide stewards in differentiating between on-track emotions and off-track professionalism. The president of the drivers’ committee also reinforced the importance of maintaining sportsmanship while recognising that emotional outbursts in competition are part of the sport’s human side.
The revised guidelines fall under appendix B of the stewards’ penalty structure, which deals with misconduct potentially harmful to the FIA or the reputation of motorsport. The new rules include provisions for mitigating circumstances and mark a shift toward sporting penalties instead of fines in the rare cases where officials are abused.
The FIA president, himself a former rally driver, noted that the review of the policy was thorough and involved input from across the FIA’s championships and member organisations. He stated that the changes aim to uphold good sportsmanship while providing stewards with the tools needed to fairly assess infractions without undermining the integrity of competition.
The changes are expected to be a major topic of conversation among drivers at the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. While no driver statements have been made yet, the revisions suggest a growing willingness from the FIA to listen to the voices within the sport and evolve accordingly.
