The FIA ready to take further action against foul language in F1
After a new tightening of rules planned for next season, Ben Sulayem announced at the FIA officials' summit in Spain that cutting the live broadcast of radios was a possibility, despite the letter from the GPDA to the FIA several months ago advocating for drivers' freedom of expression.
Reminder: the FIA has already toughened its stance.
While last season was filled with penalties due to comments not well received by the FIA, drivers are unlikely to gain more freedom during press conferences or even during their radio conversations on the track. Indeed, while Charles Leclerc, for example, got away with “only” a fine, Max Verstappen had to perform community service in Rwanda. Now, the penalties go further, and a slip of the tongue could cost a penalty point on the drivers’ super license. The risk of suspension will, therefore, significantly increase.
Insensitivity to the feelings of the pilots?
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), represented by George Russell, had already expressed their views in a letter to the FIA in November 2024, protesting against the infantilization of drivers. It is clear that the FIA still does not intend to let the drivers be the sole masters of their radio.
Radical solutions considered
During a summit in Spain, the FIA, represented by Ben Sulayem, reiterated its intention to remain firm on issues concerning the language of Formula 1 drivers.
🤔 ¿Qué medidas se van a tomar con las radios para evitar el lenguaje malsonante?
➡️ Éstas son las opciones que baraja Ben Sulayem. ¡Ojo, no descarta nada!#F1 #FIA pic.twitter.com/wCjWlO6pPz
— SoyMotor.com (@SoyMotor) February 8, 2025
While many are wondering how far the FIA might go, Ben Sulayem stated that they might be led to remove the broadcasting of radio messages from drivers, or to delay it. Thus, the risk of only hearing messages carefully filtered by the FIA cannot be ruled out. The upcoming measures by the FIA will therefore depend on the radio discussions between drivers and their teams at the start of the season. If the FIA does not see significant improvements, more restrictions may be feared. It will then be necessary to wait and see how far the drivers are willing to go to defend their freedom of expression during the race.
A pivotal season for pilots’ freedom of expression?
If the recent announcements by the FIA regarding the tightening of rules on public expression already mark a turning point in the management of Formula 1’s image, Ben Sulayem’s words show us that the events of the upcoming season as well as the drivers’ reactions will be crucial for the future. Perhaps we are about to enter a much more sanitized era of Formula 1: will this sport gain a better reputation, or will it lose an authenticity cherished by fans?
