In the past few years there has been an increase in the amount of new rules and regulations Formula 1 drivers have been subjected to, ranging from the ban on wearing jewellery and non fireproof underwear while on the job, to restrictions on making political statements.
The latest restriction introduced earlier this year was the ban on swearing and usage of adult language, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the time introducing the rule controversially by stating that F1 drivers “are not like rappers”.
Three times Championship winner Max Verstappen was the first driver to be punished for the matter in Singapore, earning himself a fine and community service, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc fined as well ahead of the past Brazilian GP and having to pay ten thousand euros to the Federation, with half of it suspended due to the fact it was his first offense.
Today it was a turning point for the actual grid, as the GPDA reunited came together issuing a statement titled“Driver Misconduct”, addressed to Ben Sulayem, calling for a relaxation of these sort of rules which limit the drivers’s personal freedoms.
The Grand Prix Driver Associationis a non profit organisation which reunites all F1 drivers in activity and was founded in 1961, aiming to ensure safety standards for everyone racing in the top single seaters category, as well as to raise awareness on important topics such as discrimination and respect. Former F1 driver Alex Wurz is the chairman, with George Russell and Sebastian Vettel having directorial roles.
The open letter, diffused on the Association’s newly-created Instagram page alongside the hashtag #RacingUnited, calls for more respect towards the drivers, while also acknowledging the importance of following the rules imposed.
“As is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the referee’s decision, whether they like it or not, indeed whether they agree with it or not. That is how sport works. The Drivers are no different, and fully understand that. “
It also underlines the fact that there are different types of swearing, with not all of them worthy of the same punishment especially considering the fact that such “bad words” are often not aimed at a rival or living person, but rather caused by a fright or unexpected situation at over 300 km/h:
“Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every racing weekend they put on a great show for the fans. With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation.
The members of the Association moreover stress the need for more respect and better communication from the President of the Federation, in private and public forms while addressing or talking about the professional athletes involved in the series:
“We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.”
Finally, the GPDA asks for more clarity on the eventual destination of all the money given to the FIA as monetary fines, a recurring topic which has been brought up multiple times by four times champion Vettel since 2021:
“The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that Driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our Sport. For the past 3 years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA’s financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent.“
“We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the Sport. We once again request that the FIA President provide financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the Teams and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our Sport.”
“The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great Sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it.”
“We are playing our part,” is the conclusion to the letter, wishing for more cooperation among all parts involved in the organisation of the championship while also reminding of how important are the drivers to Formula 1.
