The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) has introduced new guidelines which could see Formula 1 drivers receive points deductions or a possible ban for misconduct violations, including swearing.
Formula 1 drivers face race bans if they repeatedly swear or criticise the sport’s governing body under new rules.
Changes to the FIA’s sporting code for the 2025 season codify the steps to a potential race ban for drivers deemed guilty of such offences.
They mean that if a driver commits three such offences they are at risk of a “one-month suspension plus deduction of championship points”.
The changes mark the latest in a series of moves by the FIA which have been seen as attempts to stifle dissent or criticism of the president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The changes for this year define heavy fines and a rising sequence of punishment for drivers guilty of breaching the sporting code.
Crime and Punishment
Formula 1 drivers and others in top-level championships such as world rallying, world endurance and Formula E are subject to fines four times the standard amount.
For international-level drivers, a first offence is punishable by a 40,000 euro (£33,800) fine; a second offence by an 80,000 euro (£67,600) fine and a suspended one-month suspension from competition; and a third offence by a 120,000 euro (£101,000) fine and one-month suspension.
The penalties apply to all FIA licence holders, which would include F1 team principals.
FIA’s promises transparency
An FIA spokesperson said the changes were an attempt to “further enhance transparency and consistency in decision-making”.
The spokesperson added: “The aim of this new appendix is to provide clear guidance to stewards regarding the penalties for violations of specific international sporting code articles.
“By establishing a more structured framework, the FIA seeks to ensure that penalties are applied uniformly and transparently, benefiting both stewards and drivers/competitors.
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The Controversy
The FIA did not respond to questions as to the method of passing the vote.
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) said it had “no comment on that matter for the time being”.
Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that “a lot of” people at the FIA were against the move.
One source said it was pushed through on a “snap e-vote and with no consultation with other stakeholders or the GPDA or the FIA’s own drivers’ commission”.
Another said it was “not right” to act in this way and questioned why this could not have been scheduled for discussion at the next meeting of the world motorsport council.
And they come less than two months after GPDA director George Russell, the Mercedes F1 driver, said he and his colleagues were “a bit fed up with” the FIA leadership.
