• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

F1 Drivers Annoyed by Boss’s Ask to Clean Up Dirty Words

  • FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said F1 hot mics are picking up too much profanity.
  • Several top drivers have criticized Ben Sulayem, with one citing a “racial element” to his comments.
Jun 8, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (GBR) races during qualifying at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Formula One stars, including Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Sergio Pérez, and Yuki Tsunoda, are pushing back against the head of the sport’s governing body over comments that drivers need to cut the profanity.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem told Motorsport.com that the sport, which allows fans to tune in to driver and team audios during a race, has too much profanity, even though swear words are bleeped out. He said he’s already asked Formula One Management to limit the amount of cursing that makes it onto the airwaves, especially in consideration of younger audiences as well as officials who receive online hate after negative comments made on a broadcast.

“I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport—motorsport—and rap music,” Ben Sulayem said. “We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”

Some drivers aren’t happy with Ben Sulayem’s comments, with several saying F1 could avoid the issue by not airing the explicit audio.

“A lot of people say a lot of bad things when they are full of adrenaline in other sports; it just doesn’t get picked up. Where here, probably also for entertainment purposes, things get sent out,” current leader Verstappen said. “I’m sure if you mic’d up in every other sport — in football, if you mic’d up every player, or basketball, whatever, they’re all swearing, I guess,” said Tsunoda, 12th in the rankings.

The up-close-and-personal access F1 gives its fans is part of why the sport has seen such global success. In particular, Netflix’s Drive to Survive series has contributed to F1’s explosion in popularity by placing athlete personalities at the forefront.

“I mean, they can just not play the radios, so it’s quite simple from their side,” said Norris, who is second behind Verstappen in the rankings. “We’re the guys in the heat of the moment, under stress, under pressure, fighting, having big crashes—it’s a lot easier for them to say than for us to do because we’re out there putting our hearts on the line trying to race people and we’re giving it our all.”

“I think if they want to control that they should just delete the radio—take away the radio and give us the privacy,” said Pérez, ranked eighth.

Hamilton, who said earlier this year that Ben Sulayem “never has” had his support, took issue with his boss’s contrast between drivers and rappers.

“With what he’s saying, I don’t like how he’s expressed it, saying that rappers is very stereotypical,” Hamilton said. “You think about most rappers are Black. That really kind of points it towards, when it says we’re not like them. So I think those are the wrong choice of words, there’s a racial element there.”

But unlike some of his competitors, Hamilton does agree the broadcasts need some “cleaning up a little bit.” He said he didn’t think about it as much when he was younger, but things have changed.

“It’s good to have some emotions. We’re not robots. And for me, the way I control it is because there’s like over 2,000 people that are working towards me having this position and being where I am,” Hamilton said. “I’ve got a lot of followers of all ages. It’s not about me. And even though I’m having this experience on-track, what I do and what I say affects all those people who are sacrificing time with their families, who are giving absolutely everything to have this privileged position and opportunity. I think it’s just understanding that, and putting the aggression somewhere else.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Georgia takes the field for the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

SEC Lands Starring Role in Netflix College Football Docuseries

Netflix brings its sports storytelling to the heart of SEC football.

F1’s ESPN-Apple Dilemma Could Come Down to Reach vs. Money

MLB and MLS games on Apple TV+ have not drawn huge audiences.

From Dynasty to Disarray: Red Bull Fires Christian Horner

He served as Red Bull team principal for more than two decades.

Featured Today

Coco Gauff at New York Liberty

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.

Luka Dončić Signs 3-Year Lakers Extension On 1st Day Of Eligibility 

Dončić can opt out after two seasons and sign a record deal.
August 1, 2025

Micah Parsons Requests Trade From Cowboys As Contract Talks Stall

The defensive end has been seeking a new contract.
Leo Messi
exclusive
August 1, 2025

MLS Commissioner Don Garber Defends Messi Suspension

Messi was punished for skipping the MLS All-Star Game.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
McLaurin
August 1, 2025

Terry McLaurin Asks Out of Washington Amid Contract Standoff

McLaurin is in the final year of a three-year, $68 million contract. 
July 31, 2025

Mikal Bridges Takes $6M Discount to Help Knicks Avoid Second Apron

Bridges agreed to a four-year, $150 million extension Thursday.
Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
July 31, 2025

Luka Dončić Eligible to Sign $229M Extension Saturday

Dončić can sign a four-year, $229 million extension on Aug. 2.
July 29, 2025

Gabby Williams: ‘Unrivaled Saved the WNBA’s Butt’

Unrivaled was cofounded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.