Drivers Call for FIA Reform on Fines, Insults, and Respect

F1 drivers challenge FIA leadership, urging fair treatment and transparency on fines, calling for respect and professionalism from the top.

Members of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), the organisation representing Formula 1 drivers, issued a statement on Thursday targeting FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The statement addresses several recent incidents that have stirred controversy and highlighted tensions between the drivers and the federation’s president.

The drivers first called on the FIA to stop penalising Formula 1 competitors for swearing, urging a distinction between casual expletives and actual insults—a distinction they feel is not currently recognised. This call follows penalties imposed on Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

“As in any sport, competitors are expected to abide by the decisions of officials, whether they agree or not,” the association stated. “Our members, the drivers, fully understand and respect this requirement.”

The statement continued: “Our members are professional drivers competing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators who, every race weekend, deliver an impressive spectacle for fans.”

“Regarding swearing, there’s a difference between language aimed at insulting others and more casual, expressive language—like you might use to describe poor weather, inanimate objects such as a Formula 1 car, or a situation on track.”

Criticism of Ben Sulayem’s “tone and language”

Represented by Sebastian Vettel and George Russell, chaired by Alex Wurz, and legally advised by solicitor Anastasia Fowle, the drivers also directed criticism at Ben Sulayem’s stance on their personal presentation.

They reminded him that they are adults and expect to be treated as such. More pointedly, they urged Ben Sulayem to be mindful of his tone and language when speaking to or about drivers, in order to uphold their public image.

“We urge the FIA President to consider his own tone and language when addressing our members, or indeed when discussing them in any public or private forum. Furthermore, our members are adults; they do not need directives via the media on trivial matters like jewellery or undergarments.”

As Lewis Hamilton recently stated, drivers want funds raised from financial penalties to be redirected towards meaningful causes rather than supporting the FIA’s internal operations. “The GPDA has, on numerous occasions, expressed its view that financial fines against drivers are not appropriate for our sport.”

“For the past three years, we have requested that the FIA President provide details and a clear strategy on how these financial penalties are allocated and where these funds are spent. We have also voiced our concerns about the negative image these financial fines bring to our sport.”

“We once again call on the FIA President to deliver financial transparency and engage in an open, transparent dialogue with us. All stakeholders—the FIA, F1, the teams, and the GPDA—should collectively determine how and where funds are spent for the benefit of our sport.”

“The GPDA is committed to working constructively with all stakeholders, including the FIA President, to promote our cherished sport for the benefit of everyone involved—those who work in it, pay for it, watch it, and love it. We are fulfilling our role.”