Bottas wants to be able to express himself freely in F1
F1. From this season onwards, the FIA prohibits drivers from making any political statements without prior authorization. Vallteri Bottas, when questioned on this issue, does not understand these new rules.
Taking a stand has become increasingly common in sports. In Formula 1, drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have often appeared with message-bearing t-shirts. But with the new season comes new rules, and this will no longer be allowed as of 2023.
Valtteri Bottas, a driver for Alfa Romeo, expressed himself in the Swedish newspaper Expressen during the Race of Champions last weekend. He affirmed that he did not support the decision of the FIA. "Personally, I don't like politics," he declared. "I love doing what I love, which is racing, but at the same time, politics is part of today's society. I think Formula 1 has done a good job in bringing attention to some of these issues, and many drivers have spoken up."
(I) I don't understand why they want to control us. I think we should have the right to speak about whatever we want. That's how I see things, but we'll see what happens. (He) added.
In the paddock, opinions are still vague. James Vowles, the new director of Williams, supports the drivers' right to express themselves and believes that a good internal discussion is necessary to discuss this new restriction.
The FIA has already imposed limits on political positions in the past, but it did not concern the drivers. It only involved the cars.
However, measures had already been implemented to combat unexpected political messages. For example, since 2022, the jumpsuits must be worn closed during all ceremonies. Therefore, drivers can no longer display t-shirts underneath the jumpsuits.
