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The FIA has introduced new guidelines that could see F1 drivers docked points or potentially banned for inappropriate behavior, including swearing.
Max Verstappen Ordered to “complete some public welfare work” In late 2024, after using expletives during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) made a request to FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem in November last year over swearing in Formula 1, but the FIA did not respond at the time.
On Wednesday, the FIA published an updated version of the 2025 International Sporting Code, which includes details of the Steward’s Penalty Guidelines in Appendix B.
F1 drivers will be fined €40,000 (£34,000) for a first breach of misconduct rules. A second offense carries a fine of €80,000 (£68,000) and a one-month suspension.
A third offense will result in a fine of €120,000 (£102,000), plus a one-month suspension and deduction of championship points.
The same penalty will also be imposed for “any words, deeds or writings that cause moral harm or damage to the interests of the FIA, its institutions, its members or executive officers, and more generally to the interests and values defended by motorsport.” . FIA” and “any public incitement to violence or hatred.”
or By the relevant national competition within their jurisdiction, they will be fined and will also be required to make a full public apology and withdraw their comments.
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Gordon Ramsay takes Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater on a tour of his pop-up restaurant at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and has a classic response to the FIA’s ban on swearing
What about the harshest punishment?
F1 drivers may also be banned if they are deemed to have “failed to comply with FIA instructions regarding the appointment and participation of personnel at any official ceremony counting towards an FIA championship”.
A single breach will result in a fine of €60,000 (£50,000), a second breach will result in a fine of €120,000 (£101,000) and “suspension from the event reserve for the next event” – which in practice means Racial ban.
Another breach of compliance with ceremonial instructions carries a fine of €180,000 (£152,000) and a six-month suspension from competition.
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Guenther Steiner spoke on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast to express his thoughts on Max Verstappen receiving community service for swearing during a press conference
What happened last year between Verstappen, Ben Sulayem and the FIA?
This comes after Ben Sulayem said in an interview on the eve of last September’s Singapore Grand Prix that he would like to see less foul language, which was broadcast on F1’s World Television programme. , the issue of swearing has become the focus of people’s attention.
He said F1 should “distinguish between our sport – motorsport – and rap music”, which Lewis Hamilton said was “stereotypical” language with a “racial element”.
Ben Sulayem, who takes up a four-year term as FIA president at the end of 2021, said he had made the request to Formula 1 itself, the sport’s commercial rights holder, but he also Consider it the rider’s own responsibility to watch their language.
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Max Verstappen attended a shocking press conference after qualifying in Singapore, refusing to fully answer questions after being punished for swearing
Later on the same day the interview was published, Verstappen was given the F1 equivalent of community service for swearing during a press conference while describing the performance of his Red Bull car, which cost him the remainder of his time there. declined to give a full answer in a state media appearance over the weekend in Singapore.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was subsequently fined €10,000 (£8,420) for using expletives during the post-race press conference at the Mexico City Grand Prix in October. Although stewards took into account that Leclerc had immediately apologized and shown remorse, the fine was still imposed for the rule breach.
All 20 F1 drivers are members of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, which issued a statement in November that addressed several issues, including swearing, saying “swearing that insults others and more casual swearing (such as your ) is distinguished “may be used to describe bad weather or inanimate objects, such as an F1 car, or a driving situation”.
The statement also expressed concerns about fines and the use of funds derived from financial penalties.
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