Formula 1: Driver swearing penalties reduced by FIA after outcry

Formula 1’s governing body has reduced the penalties for drivers swearing or criticising officials, following widespread outcry.

A revised version of the FIA penalty guidelines, external issued to stewards on Wednesday has removed the threat of a race ban, and dramatically cut the level of fine that can be applied.

Previously, F1 drivers could be fined €40,000 (£33,700) for a first offence, and double that plus a ban for a second offence.

Now, the initial level of fine has been reduced to €5,000 (£4,200) and the potential for a ban lifted, although “more severe penalties” may still be imposed for “very serious offences”.

Previously, there were multipliers for drivers from higher-level championships – F1 drivers’ fines were increased four times compared with the base level – but these have also been removed.

The new document also differentiates between offences committed in “controlled” and “uncontrolled” environments.

This effectively differentiates between things drivers say and do within competition and in forums such as news conferences, where adrenaline and risk are not influencing factors.

It remains the case that drivers can be punished for bad language, abuse of officials, criticism of the FIA or “general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its statutes”.

For this latter offence, as well as any “public incitement to violence or hatred”, the fine is higher, at €20,000 (£16,800).

The FIA described the development as “major improvements” to appendix B of the sporting code.

The move follows widespread criticism of the stricter approach, which was introduced in January, by drivers in F1 and beyond.

The decision to introduce the potential for heavy fines and bans was made in the wake of events last year, when F1 world champion Max Verstappen was forced to do the F1 equivalent of community service after swearing in a news conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The drivers followed that with an open letter to the FIA asking it to treat them like “adults”.

And it comes two weeks after Mercedes driver George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, called for “action” from the FIA on the matter rather than words, after president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had teased this move on his Instagram account.