FIA president hints at U-turn on ‘ridiculous’ F1 rule Max Verstappen hates
Max Verstappen has been a vocal opponent of the rules around swearing brought in by FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem earlier this year, with the restrictions now set to be eased.
FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem has confirmed he is considering making changes to the rules that see F1 drivers fined for swearing. The rule was brought in in January after the FIA updated its International Sporting Code.
The changes saw an appendix added for the penalties that stewards should award for various breaches including “any misconduct,” with sanctions ranging from fines to race suspensions and points deductions.
That followed the FIA taking action against both reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Ferrari star Charles Leclerc for swearing in press conferences last year. Ben Sulaymen made it clear he wanted to clamp down on drivers swearing.
But his moves drew fierce criticism from F1 stars, with Verstappen imposing a rule of virtual silence in FIA press conferences after his sanction. The Red Bull star was required to complete community service for the FIA as punishment for swearing.
The Dutch driver slammed the penalty he received as “ridiculous.” Meanwhile, FIA president Ben Sulayem has suggested he may reconsider his strict stance against swearing in motorsport.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Ben Sulayem said: “After receiving constructive feedback from drivers across our seven FIA world championships, I am looking at ways to improve Appendix B. As a former rally driver, I have a strong understanding of the pressures competitors face. Appendix B is an important part of the International Sporting Code, helping to keep our sport inclusive and welcoming for everyone.”
He added: “Rules are made by humans, and humans can make them better. Continuous improvement is a principle I strongly believe in and is central to everything we do at the FIA.”
The stewards’ guidelines penalize actions such as: using words or actions that cause harm to the FIA’s reputation, making political, religious, or personal statements that violate the principle of neutrality without approval, and any other forms of misconduct as outlined by the ISC.
There is still concern among the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association over the high financial penalties, which start at €40,000 for a “misconduct” violation. So far this F1 season, these new sanctions have not been applied.
Before the Bahrain Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz used foul language during a press conference while discussing a penalty from the Japanese Grand Prix, but he was not referred to the stewards and faced no consequences.
Ben Sulayem’s time as president has been overshadowed by a series of controversies. His deputy president for sport, Robert Reid, resigned two weeks ago, citing a “fundamental breakdown in governance standards” within motorsport’s global leadership. Motorsport UK chairman David Richards also criticized Ben Sulayem, suggesting he has experienced a “shift of moral compass.” Ben Sulayem’s first term as president ends in December, though no challenger has yet emerged.
