FIA swearing fines ‘unacceptable’, say WRC drivers

The FIA’s strict new rules on swearing have been brought down by the world’s governing body, and drivers in the World Rally Championship have released a joint statement.

Adrien Fourmaux was fined 10,000 euros for swearing in a TV interview while describing his previous Rally Sweden stage.

According to the World Rally Drivers Alliance, the punishment for swearing and other misdemeanors has reached an “unacceptable level.”

The FIA has released a new sporting code that could apply to drivers starting this year who swear. They could be fined, suspended, or denied championship points.

WoRDA continued, “a significant disproportionately proportional to the average budget and income in rallying,” that the fine was “very large.”

The drivers’ group requested discussions with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who had previously stated that he wanted to end swearing in the sport.

The statement, signed by 33 drivers and co-drivers – including championship leader Elfyn Evans and Northern Ireland’s Josh McErlean – is the latest step by competitors to raise concerns about the FIA’s approach.

The Grand Prix Drivers Association (GDPA) members have been talking about how to react to the new sanctions, according to Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz.

The WoRDA statement acknowledged that “competitors must adhere to the referee’s decision,” but added that there has been an alarming rise in the severity of the sanctions for minor, isolated, and unintentional language lapses.

It cited the adrenaline experienced by drivers who interview live after passing a stage, the fact that many WRC competitors speak English differently, and the fact that “common colloquialisms” are not insults or aggressions.

WoRDA also raised questions about the FIA’s potential recipients of the fines, saying that “uncertainty only heightens concerns and undermines confidence in the system.”