Ben Sulayem Eyes Radio Silence to Enforce F1 Discipline

FIA President Ben Sulayem defends strict new driver regulations, threatening to cut team radio broadcasts to limit inappropriate behavior.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has defended the controversial measures introduced over the winter to penalize drivers (in F1 and other championships under the Federation) for inappropriate language or behavior, and he has not hesitated to threaten cutting team radio broadcasts in F1.

With these new directives, the FIA aims to establish a standardized set of sanctions that stewards can rely on to potentially penalize competitors.

Under these recently added rules, now part of the FIA International Sporting Code (ISC), drivers may face heavy fines, suspensions, and even points deductions in the event of repeat offenses.

The GPDA has yet to convene to discuss the matter, but some team principals, such as Toto Wolff and Christian Horner, have welcomed the initiative to clarify the rules. However, many others remain wary, viewing it as an overly sanitized version of the sport that could stifle drivers.

This is an opinion Ben Sulayem firmly rejects, insisting that F1 drivers have a “responsibility” and must adhere to and respect the new regulations.

“When I raced in rallies myself, there was a certain discipline, something very important for everyone in the sport. Drivers are ambassadors of the sport.”

“After all, we don’t want parents of children to see the sport as ‘dirty’ or something they don’t want to be associated with or follow.”

“At every circuit, there are things that are either allowed or not. F1 drivers earn millions and are not children—they are adults.”

“In their work, they have a responsibility towards the FIA and the public. They must respect the rules of a sport that has given them so much.”

The FIA president goes even further, stating that team and driver radio broadcasts could “possibly” be stopped to limit the use of profanity.

“We are now working on many aspects with our promoter. We still own the championship. There are beeps, but when you have more beeps than actual words, that’s a problem.”

“Drivers are our ambassadors and must send clear messages, avoid such behavior, and set an example. We cannot allow them to use foul language because they must respect the FIA.”

“We are not here to punish anyone; we are here to promote proper sport and lead by example. If athletes use bad language, children won’t want to follow the sport, and their parents will advise them to stop watching, which must be avoided. If they want to say those words, they can, but not on the FIA’s platforms.”