by F1 drivers could face a ban from racing this year if they repeatedly swear or criticize the FIA under controversial new rules published this week.
Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen received community service, visiting a motorsport program in Rwanda, after swearing at a press conference in Singapore last year.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem caused controversy last year when he said drivers needed to curb their use of foul language and has now moved to codify penalties for swearing into regulations sports.
For drivers in top championships such as F1, Formula E and WEC (World Endurance Championship), a third attack could cause a month-long suspension of competition.
A first offense carries a fine of £33,800; A second offense fined £67,600 and suspended for one month and a third offense fined £101,000 and banned for one month.
A source close to an F1 driver told the BBC the new rules were “ridiculous” and added that Ben Sulayem was “acting like a dictator”.
GPDA director George Russell said in November that the grid was “fed up” with Ben Sulayem and his management of the FIA, F1’s governing body.
An FIA spokesperson said of the new regulations: “The aim of this new annex is to provide clear guidance to stewards regarding sanctions for breaches of specific articles of the international sporting code.
“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 stewards have the power to decide what penalty to apply in the event of a violation of the International Sporting Code and/or applicable FIA regulations.
“The commissioners retain the discretion to take into account any mitigating and/or aggravating circumstances as well as the nature and location of the event, to tailor the penalty to the specific situation.”
“All major governing bodies have similar rules/fines to protect the integrity of the sport. The FIA is not alone in fining competitors for misconduct.”
The 2025 F1 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
