Williams’ Alex Albon argues that Formula 1 drivers don’t want “excessive control” over their opinions amid the FIA tightening up sanctions on swearing.
Max Verstappen became the victim of the FIA’s clampdown on offensive language during press conferences during the Singapore Grand Prix and was ordered to carry out community service as a punishment.
The Dutchman reacted with radio silence in subsequent press conferences in Singapore, directly opposing the censorship.
Charles Leclerc was also punished following the Mexico City GP for swearing in the post-race press conference by way of a fine.
Ahead of the 2025 campaign, the FIA has increased the fines issued for swearing breaches in F1.
The fines start at €40,000 and could potentially lead to race bans for multiple offences.
As Williams kicked off its 2025 proceedings with a Silverstone-based launch of the FW47 on Friday, Albon was asked to give his take on driver swearing sanctions.
“Of course, I think we deserve our say in our own things,” Albon said to select media including Motorsport Week.
“We don’t want this excessive control over our own opinions. I don’t think any sport has that.
Sainz too was asked to give his voice to the matter and the Spaniard’s expanded on Albon’s thoughts with a two-fold response.
Firstly, he said: “My thoughts are that F1 drivers should be controlled enough doing press conferences and media appearances to not swear.
“And I am in favour of as a group to make an effort when all the kids are watching us in a press conference or in front of the media to at least have good behaviour and decent vocabulary. I think that’s not very difficult.
“So do we need fines or do we need to be controlled for that? I don’t know, but I’m in favour of always being well-spoken and well-mannered in front of microphones and in front of media.”
The F1 cockpit is a different story
Amid the swearing saga, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has gone as far as to state radio broadcasts could be “shut down” to combat televised offensive language.
However, Sainz’s view on controlling what drivers say in the cockpit of a race car is different, where the extremes of the sport see emotions spiral.
“At the same time, do I think this is too much for radio communication and the adrenaline and the pressure that we have inside the car? Yes, I think it’s too much what the FIA is trying to achieve with bans and everything because for me that’s a fundamental part of the sport where you guys get to see the real emotion and real pressure and the real excitement on the voice and even sometimes, unfortunately, the vocabulary of a racing driver,” he said.
“And as long as it’s not offensive words towards anyone and it’s just a swearing word where you just can see I’m being emotional, I don’t think that should be too controlled because then you guys are going to miss out on a lot of the stuff that we go through inside the car.
“And yet, trust me, you don’t want to put a microphone inside a football pitch and see what the guy is saying inside a football pitch which is an equivalent situation.”
“Of course, I think we deserve our say in our own things. We don’t want this excessive control over our own opinions. I don’t think any sport has that.”
Vowels shares Sainz’s opinion on F1 driver swearing
Sainz’s argument is clear, to keep things cool, calm and collected outside of the cockpit, but not to police the fiery passions of the drivers when they’re in racing mode.
His new boss, Vowels, a racer in his own right, holds the same opinion.
“We have to be clear that there are bits we can pick up on any one set of individuals, but ultimately, we are picking up on some pinch points which are around whether drivers should or shouldn’t be talking that way,” Vowels expressed.
“Now, my perspective is fairly clear on that one. When you’re in the car under pressure, I think it’s normal to expect any human to respond that way because you are putting your life on the line at the extreme.
“Outside of that, I do also think that we have a responsibility towards the world, and hopefully I don’t get caught out by my own words here, but I think you’re looking at a very small element.”
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