GPDA asks FIA to treat F1 drivers like adults over swearing row

Formula 1’s drivers have called for FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to “consider his own tone and language” through a Grand Prix Drivers’ Association statement, in the wake of controversy over swearing.

A statement posted on the GPDA’s new Instagram account outlined a collective statement from its members, showing unity with Max Verstappen as the Dutchman was given effective community service by the FIA for swearing in Singapore’s Thursday press conference.

Charles Leclerc was also fined €10,000 for swearing in Mexico’s post-race press conference, half of which was suspended for 12 months on the provision that there were no repeat offences.

It also stated that the FIA should be more willing to treat the drivers as adults, referencing the media missives handed out during 2022 on wearing jewellery in the car – which appeared to be targeted at Lewis Hamilton.

The statement read that, although the drivers accepted that they must abide by the “referee’s decision”, the GPDA wished to collaborate with F1 and the FIA to ensure that all decisions are to the benefit of the championship and its spectacle.

The GPDA also suggested that it was unhappy with the levying of driver fines, particularly as it felt the use of those fines was not fully transparent.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA, congratulates Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

It asked that Ben Sulayem should “provide financial transparency” for the application of any money accrued from fines, and that all stakeholders should be in agreement of where to put that money.

Furthermore, the GPDA cited that it felt it was playing its part in helping to ensure F1 was well promoted for the benefit of everyone involved in the championship – and called upon other stakeholders to do the same.

Of the current drivers, George Russell is a director of the GPDA, as is four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. Former F1 driver and two-time Le Mans 24 Hour winner Alexander Wurz is currently the GPDA’s chairman.

The GPDA statement in full
GPDA Statement regarding “Driver Misconduct”

“As is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the referee’s decision, whether they like it or not, indeed whether they agree with it or not. That is how sport works. The Drivers (our members) are no different, and fully understand that.

“Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every racing weekend they put on a great show for the fans.

“With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation.

“We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, 1st position, is congratulated on the podium by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

“The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that Driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our Sport. For the past 3 years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA’s financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent.

“We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the Sport. We once again request that the FIA President provide financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the Teams and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our Sport.

“The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great Sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it. We are playing our part.

“Best regards,

“The Directors and Chairman of the GPDA on behalf of the Grand Prix Drivers

“#RacingUnited for our Safety, our Sport, our Fans.”