F1 Threatens Drivers With Suspensions for Swearing, Political Speech

The governing body of Formula One continued its war on its own drivers over speech, approving fines and even suspensions for repeat offenders.

The FIA published new rules Wednesday that target political, religious, or personal statements (that necessitate a “public apology and repudiation”), “public incitement to violence or hatred,” and actions that cause “moral injury or loss.” Fines range from $41,600 for first offenses to $125,000 with a monthlong ban and loss of championship points for a third offense. (There’s also a category for auctions during ceremonies, and a three-time offender can be fined more than $187,000 while losing access to certain event areas and championship points.)

Though the new rules fall amid a politically charged time in U.S. politics, the tension in F1 over driver speech dates back to well before the 2024 presidential election.

In September, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem enraged drivers when he said F1 has too much profanity during races. “I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport—motorsport—and rap music,” he said. Drivers responded by saying the sport could simply turn off the ever-present hot-mics that can capture everything they say during a race. Lewis Hamilton, a top competitor and one of the sport’s only Black drivers, said Ben Sulayem’s comments had a “racial element” to them.

Things heated up in November when the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association issued a statement against Ben Sulayem and the swearing-related fines the FIA dropped on drivers. Driver Max Verstappen had to complete community service for calling his car “fucked,” and Charles Leclerc was fined close to $11,000 for saying “fuck” during a press conference while describing a near crash. “Our members are adults,” the group said, which also stressed the difference between casual swearing and directing offensive language at someone else.

The fines apply to all four levels of FIA racing and are multiplied for each level. So while an F1 driver, in the fourth level, is fined $41,600 for a first offense, a Level 1 driver in the international series is charged about $10,400.

The FIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“The aim of this new appendix is to provide clear guidance,” the FIA said in a statement to the Associated Press. “By establishing a more structured framework, the FIA seeks to ensure that penalties are applied uniformly and transparently, benefiting both stewards and drivers/competitors.”

The FIA also told the AP that other leagues like the NFL and FIFA have similar rules, and the “FIA is not alone in fining competitors for misconduct.”

But, those leagues aren’t constantly feeding live audio, drivers argue. While athletes in those sports are often mic’d up, their broadcasts aren’t airing every word they say live. “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,” driver Yuki Tsunoda said this fall.