Formula 1 drivers were nearly unanimous in detailing the pitfalls of the FIA’s controversial ‘swearing ban’ to talkSPORT.
The ‘alarming and unacceptable’ ban continues to prove the most-hotly contested topic in motorsport ahead of the new season.
Last season F1 world champion Max Verstappen received a £33,000 fine and a public service order for saying his car was ‘f*****’ during an official FIA press conference.
During the off-season, the FIA codified a ban on swearing, and rally star Adrien Fourmaux was the first to fall foul of it earlier this month.
The World Rally Championship grid has since demanded a meeting with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem – who has been the driving force behind the rule change – having been inspired by their F1 colleagues.
Carlos Sainz has previously said members of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GDPA) have had discussions about how to respond to the new sanctions after replacing Sebastian Vettel as director.
The topic became a key talking point during the F1 75 event, which talkSPORT was present at, with presenter Jack Whitehall cracking several jokes at the FIA’s expense, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey both swore when asked about it.
TalkSPORT had the chance to discuss the issue with several key figures ahead of the car launch, where a common theme prevailed.
Haas’ Esteban Ocon remarked: “Sensitive topic, obviously I think there is a fine line between, of course, being polite in front of the camera.
“We are examples for a lot of people, but on the radio, I think we should be allowed to say what we want, and then they should broadcast it or not; it’s up to them to be able to beep it or change it.
“But yeah, when we have to say something to the team, we have to say it quickly, and sometimes things can get out of hand.
“So it is what it is. We are human at the end of the day.”
FIA swearing fines ‘unacceptable’, say WRC drivers
“In recent months … there has been an alarming increase in the severity of the sanctions imposed for minor, isolated and unintentional language lapses,” the WoRDA says. “This has reached an unacceptable level.”
“The exorbitant fines are vastly disproportionate to the average income and budget in rallying,” they added.
“We are also concerned with the public impression these excessive sums create in the minds of fans, suggesting this is an industry where money doesn’t matter.”
The statement also said there was a ‘fundamental question’ of where the money was going, with a ‘lack of transparency only amplifying concerns and undermining confidence in the system.’
“We call for a direct communication and engagement between the FIA and President and WoRDA members to find a mutually agreeable and urgent solution.”
For swearing, the FIA ordered Verstappen to perform ‘work of public interest’ – a punishment slammed by other F1 drivers.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, told talkSPORT: “You have two scenarios: in the heat of the moment, and I’ve just read Carlos Sainz’s comments [where he claims it is wrong to threaten drivers with bans]., which I thought were very articulate.
“When you’re in this situation and you’re not in the heat of battle, I think it’s unnecessary for some of the stuff (language) we’ve heard.
“But when the helmet is on, there’s a lot of emotion and anger. We do have a delay button, so if we find some things inappropriate, we can just hit the bleep button.
“It’s pretty hard to control inside a race car; outside the race car, it’s an easy fix, and I’d like to see that happen inside the race car in the heat of the moment.
“I can only imagine what goes on on a football pitch or any other sport with a helmet on, and I don’t think we want to lose that passion, but with balance.”
Williams Team Principal James Vowles echoed these thoughts, saying: “When they’re out in the car, we are fortunate to have some of the best elite athletes in the world, performing feats that many others would get nowhere near and putting their lives on the line.
“You’ve seen some significant accidents to understand that. So the result of that is I think we need to have some level of understanding that anyone here who puts their life on the line would react differently.
“Outside of that, I do think we have a respect for our fan base that we need to make sure we adhere to. So I think there’s a balance to be struck, and I suspect that’s how you’ll see it all unfold.”
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri said: “I think in the car, you say whatever comes into your head. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to open the radio all the time, but I think if we’re going to say what comes naturally, then outside of the car, it’s a fair expectation to be civil and use our words appropriately.
“But yeah, I mean, we’re athletes doing our thing with adrenaline running, so there’s only so much you can do to stop that.”
When asked which driver might be the first to stumble under the new rule, Piastri joked: “Not me.”
Under the new measures, a first offence will land a driver with a €40,000 fine (£33,750); a second offence incurs an €80,000 fine, and a suspended one-month ban.
A third offence could lead to a €120,000 fine, a one-month ban, and the deduction of championship points.
Yuki Tsunoda is renowned for his colourful language on the team radio and may have more cause than most to be fearful of sanctions.
Having endearingly said ‘Fudge’ at the driver’s press conference, the Japanese star was asked whether he is being taught any other substitutes for expletives.
Tsunoda told talkSPORT: “I keep secrets for that one, you’ll see on the radio but yeah, I hope I actually don’t swear and just keep practising to say equivalent words instead of swearing.”
