Bottas: Language Habits Hard to Change in High-Speed F1

Charles Leclerc downplays swearing regulation in F1, emphasizing bigger priorities for the FIA, while Valtteri Bottas highlights the difficulty of changing ingrained language habits during intense racing conditions.

Charles Leclerc is the latest driver to address the issue of swearing in F1.

The Ferrari driver explains that it’s very difficult for drivers to watch their language while driving at high speeds in Formula 1. Moreover, Leclerc believes the FIA has more pressing matters to deal with.

Recently, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem asked drivers to tone down swearing on the radio. Then, during the press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen used the word “fuck” and was punished with community service.

Leclerc brought up the swearing issue in F1 but focused on radio outbursts, which Ben Sulayem criticized, rather than those during press conferences.

“I think the FIA should focus on other priorities at the moment. We are adults. We are one of the only sports where you hear the athletes talk during the event. I would rather ask them to bleep out some of our strong language and not broadcast it as much,” said Leclerc.

“It’s quite easy to do, and for us, controlling our words while driving at 300 km/h between walls on a street circuit is tricky, and we are human after all. So, I don’t see this as a priority right now.”

For Valtteri Bottas, “it’s tricky because drivers are expected to set an example with their behavior. But in the end, we are still human, and we’ve grown up on racetracks all our lives.”

“There are common words we use, ones we get used to, and normally people don’t find them offensive. It’s hard to correct that if it’s a habit, but I think it’s also quite personal. We’ll adapt. That’s how it is.”

“We’ll discuss it among ourselves, no doubt, and see how it goes.”