The FIA has unveiled a new set of guidelines that could see Formula 1 drivers fined or penalized with championship points for swearing or engaging in other misconduct. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s push from last season sought to curb the use of profanity in the sport, leading to these rules.
Released on Wednesday, the updated version of the FIA’s sporting code outlines penalties for infractions related to “misconduct,” particularly under Article 12. Misconduct is broadly defined by the FIA to include “offensive, insulting, coarse, rude or abusive” language, gestures, or actions that could reasonably cause offense or humiliation.
The new guidelines introduce escalating fines for drivers who violate these standards. For a first offense, the base fine amounts to €10,000, which F1 drivers face multiplied by four, bringing the total to €40,000. A second infraction increases the fine to a base €20,000 (€80,000 for F1 drivers) and includes a potential one-month suspension. A third offense could lead to a €30,000 base fine (€120,000 for F1 drivers), a one-month suspension, and a deduction of championship points.
These penalties extend beyond language to include actions like physical assault or incitement to violence. Similarly, any behavior that harms the reputation of the FIA or promotes hate speech will result in similar fines and disciplinary actions.
The FIA has also reiterated its stance on political and religious statements, mandating drivers seek prior approval for such comments in official competitions. Any violation will result in a fine and a public apology from the driver, along with a retraction of the statement.
Penalties for failing to adhere to FIA ceremony instructions will also increase. The first offense will incur a €15,000 fine, rising to €30,000 for a second violation. Repeated failures will result in access restrictions to event zones, including the paddock and media areas, with fines reaching up to €45,000 and suspensions lasting six months.
In other FIA-regulated championships, including the World Rally Championship and World Endurance Championship, they multiply base fines by three, while regional championships use a multiplier of two.
Additionally, the updated sporting code introduces new provisions surrounding environmental guidelines and the process for filing protests, which now require individual applications for each subject. Notably, stewards will no longer accept protests against their decisions.
The FIA’s new measures signal a more stringent approach to maintaining professionalism, decorum, and neutrality within motorsport, with significant consequences for drivers who fail to adhere to these updated standards.
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