Formula One drivers will no longer face such extreme consequences for swearing, after extreme backlash from the drivers.
Mohammed Ben Sulaymem, the FIA president, introduced severe rules in January that would have results in motorsports biggest stars being find €40,000 (£37,700) for a first offence, doubled for a second offence and third transgression would have resulted in the financial penalty trebled, a one month ban and championship points docked.
This is set to change, however, as on Wednesday the FIA have made major backtracks in relation to bad language.
The FIA has issued what they have called ‘major improvements’ to Appendix B, their tariff relating to swearing and X-rated outbursts.
The FIA has backtracked on their swearing rules
Reuters
The new rules now mean drivers will face fines of up to €5,000 (£4220), subject to mitigating circumstances.
However, the stewards have the right to impose ‘more severe penalties’ for ‘very serious offences’.
Formula One’s Grand Prix Drivers’ Association had released a statement slamming the strict rules, telling the FIA president to ‘consider his own tone and language when talking about drivers’.
“With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation," they said.
“We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise.
“Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.
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Max Verstappen was handed community service for swearing by the FIA
PA
“The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our sport. For the past three years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA's financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent.”
It has taken a few months, but the FIA has appeared to listen to drivers and has taken steps back in its approach.
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A distinction will be drawn between ‘controlled’ and ‘uncontrolled’ environments - the former, such as press conferences; the latter, such as in the cockpit, where more leniency will be shown.
Stricter punishments remain open for abuse of officials or for making political, religious, or personal statements that contravene FIA neutrality.
George Russell heads the GPDA
Reuters
The drivers will see the new rules in place from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.
Oscar Piastri will be hoping to continue his impressive form, having won the last three races.
