Toto Wolff and James Vowles defend drivers’ right to express raw emotions over team radio while supporting professionalism in press conferences.
Wolff has no issue with the FIA wanting to limit the use of profanity during press conferences. The Mercedes F1 team principal explains that Formula 1 must maintain a sophisticated image, which includes the language used by the drivers. However, he believes this should not apply when drivers communicate over the radio from their cars.
“None of us, and I’ve said this loud and clear, like hearing those words because we are role models,” Wolff stated. “And I believe we are—you can laugh at that, but we are a ‘gentlemen’s sport,’ we are high-tech, and we represent that. It’s different from more mainstream sports, in my view.”
“For me, rugby is a sophisticated sport, and no one would ever say a word to an official. So, I don’t think we should hear insults directed at the stewards, that’s certain. That’s why the FIA must protect that as well, that’s clear.”
“For me, it’s about respecting your competitors, respecting the officials, and not insulting anyone—whether it’s your own team or a rival on track. To me, it’s a matter of respect.”
“It’s about respecting your competitors, respecting the officials, and not inciting anyone, whether it’s your own team or a competitor on the track. And there is a big difference between using the ‘F-word’ in the context of your own driving or in the heat of the moment.”
“Because I use it when I’m frustrated, but when it’s directed at a driver, an official, or the team over the radio, I think that’s what we need to prohibit. And in my view, we need to distinguish between the two.”
According to the Austrian, drivers should be given the freedom to communicate as they wish while under effort and pressure: “Yes, a clear and definite yes! We don’t want to mute the drivers and their emotions.”
“If we are in a press conference, if we are being interviewed, that’s completely different. But in the car, as long as it’s not an insult and not disrespectful to someone else, I would let it go. But that’s my personal opinion.”
James Vowles, Williams’ team principal, wants to allow drivers some freedom: “If a driver is in the car and putting their life on the line, every one of you in this room, and myself included, would use words we wouldn’t be proud of in the heat of the moment. I think we have to accept that this is the sport we are in.”
“It’s probably a different environment when we are here, in this quiet room, because we represent our sport and should be proud of what we are saying to the world. So I think we need to consider what happens in different situations.”
George Russell believes this debate is intense because there is no racing to comment on at the moment: “During the off-season, there are always a lot of stories unrelated to racing because it’s the only thing happening.”
“I’m sure that once we get through this week and arrive in Melbourne, we’ll all be focused on racing, and ultimately, that’s what we want to do. And for the fans, that’s all they want to see. So I don’t think the recent events will overshadow anything.”
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F1’s Speech Split: Censored Off-Track – Free in Car? F1’s Speech Split: Censored Off-Track – Free in Car? F1’s Speech Split: Censored Off-Track – Free in Car?
