FIA announces revisions to controversial F1 swearing penalty rules

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The FIA, Formula One’s governing body, has made significant revisions to the controversial penalty guidelines regarding misconduct and swearing it introduced earlier this year.

The FIA has made adjustments to an appendix of the International Sporting Code (ISC), and the changes range from reducing fines to recommending sporting penalties for competitors who show abuse toward officials. 

The ‘base fine’ level for penalties handed out for infractions such as swearing in press conferences has been halved from €10,000 to “up to” €5,000 for most offences. The severe multipliers previously included for repeat offenses and higher championships (such F1) are effectively gone. In other words, F1 drivers can no longer be fined up to €120,000 for repeat offenses, and any increased level of fine for such repetition would implemented on a case-by-case basis. If required, the stewards can increase fines by double or triple, which means the maximum penalty that can be handed out in such circumstances is now €15,000.

The move comes after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem indicated in an Instagram post last month that he was considering changes, saying: “Humans make the rules and humans can improve the rules. This principle of continuous improvement is something I have always believed in and is at the heart of all we do at the FIA.”

Appendix B of the ISC was changed in January to create a stronger code of conduct and align the FIA with other sports, such as World Rugby, world soccer’s governing body FIFA and the NFL. The updates featured a range of penalties race event stewards could hand out for different types of breaches, including “any misconduct.” The sanctions ranged from fines to race suspensions. But the changes received criticism, particularly as this step was taken to clamp down on drivers swearing during public appearances. 

The FIA highlighted six main changes that were made in Wednesday’s announcement, including how “racial and discriminatory comments will continue to be addressed firmly” and that “stewards will have the option to fully suspend a penalty for certain types of breach, provided it is the first offence by the driver or team.” 

The FIA has also now distinguished between non-controlled and controlled environments when it comes to assessing where a competitor’s language is used. After the January 2025 adjustments to Appendix B, questions arose around whether drivers would be penalized for what is said on their in-car team radio versus what is said in the FIA news conferences. These were the settings where Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc both received penalties for swearing last year.

Apendix B main changes:

• “The base maximum penalty has been reduced generally from €10,000 to €5,000. This is a reduction of 50 percent. However, for FIA World Championships, where multipliers were involved, the reductions will be even more significant.”
• “Following approval via e-vote by the WMSC, the amended Appendix B will allow stewards to differentiate between controlled and non-controlled environments, effectively recognising the difference between language used in “uncontrolled” and “controlled” environments. Controlled environments include settings such as press conferences, while uncontrolled environments refer to spontaneous comments made by drivers or teams when on track or during a rally stage.”
• “Mitigating circumstances will continue to be considered, with additional guidance available to promote consistency and fairness for all parties in the application of Appendix B.”
• “Abuse of officials will now result in sporting penalties rather than fines, aligning motor sport with other major global sports organisations.”

According to the FIA, the changes announced on Wednesday were “carried out in collaboration with the FIA Drivers’ Committee and its President, Ronan Morgan, as well as the FIA Formula One Steward Chairs, represented by Garry Connelly.” FIA Member Clubs and motorsport organizations involved in the seven FIA World Championships also gave their input on the matter. 

“As a former rally driver, I know firsthand the range of emotions that are faced during competition,” Ben Sulayem said in Wednesday’s news release. “I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships, FIA Member Clubs and other motor sports organisations.

“The improvements the FIA has announced today to Appendix B will ensure we continue to promote the best of sportsmanship in motor sport, while also giving Stewards effective guidelines to act against individuals who may bring the sport into disrepute. The FIA will always be committed to ensuring motor sport is accessible for all our sporting family.”

Morgan added: “Drivers are looked up to as role models by young fans and are rightly seen as ambassadors for the wider world of motor sport, how they act really does matter but it is important to recognise that there is a difference between what is said during a race and in a press conference. Today’s changes further strengthen the FIA’s International Sporting Code supporting our drivers by understanding the pressures they face during the heat of competition.”

The ISC provides guidelines and regulatory tools to stewards as they assess different situations. As the FIA highlighted in its news announcement, the final authority lies with the stewards when it comes to deciding a penalty when a breach of the ISC occurs. 

(Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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