Alex Wurz, chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), revealed that Formula 1’s drivers learnt of the FIA’s stricter fines for swearing through the media.
Last year, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called for a ban on F1 driver swearing, wanting to: “differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music”.
Those poorly chosen words drew criticism from Lewis Hamilton, who said the FIA President’s language was “stereotypical”.
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc got caught by the ruling having sworn during FIA driver press conferences.
Verstappen was ordered to “accomplish some work of public interest” while Leclerc received a fine of 10,000 euros, half of which was suspended.
In 2025, the fines for swearing have been increased with a €40,000 penalty in place for the first offence, €80,000 and a month’s suspension for the second offence and €120,000, a month’s suspension and a deduction of championship points for a third offence.
One would think the F1 driving fraternity would get a heads up on such a significant and strict ruling that could directly impact them, but this allegedly wasn’t the case.
“No, there was no consultation [from the FIA],” GPDA chairman Wurz revealed (via RacingNews365).
“We have read that through the media.”
Lack of transparency between the FIA and F1 drivers continues
In response to the swearing ban and the application of driver fines for other offences, the GPDA penned an open letter to the FIA and its president last November in a bid to encourage greater dialogue between the pair.
In the public letter, the drivers said: “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.
“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.”
The public address also stated: “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 provides financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us.”
Ben Sulayem’s response to the driver’s call for greater transparency over these matters was one of refusal.
In an interview with motorsport.com, the FIA President said the matters the F1 drivers wanted to address were “none of their business”.
“With all respect, I am a driver,” Ben Sulayem added. “I respect the drivers. Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race.”
That response, coupled with the increase in fines for driver swearing and the alleged lack of direct communication in tandem with that shows the transparency the GPDA was asking for hasn’t been forthcoming.
‘Room for improvement’ between FIA and GPDA – Wurz
In his response to the new swearing penalties, Wurz made a call to improve the relationship between the FIA and the GPDA.
“[There] could be room for improvement that we [the FIA and the GPDA] are working out [these things] together,” he said.
“If there’s a comparison with, for example, the NFL in America, they do have unionisation of NFL players, and they are involved in the process.
“In this case, we are not involved. I’m not sure if the FIA has involved their own FIA drivers’ commission. That’s something I don’t know about.
“Let’s hope that we don’t have many fines being collected.”
READ MORE – FIA plans new officials department to address F1 drivers’ concerns
