When Max Verstappen was handed “work of public interest” after swearing in a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix, many fans laughed it off. It seemed like an over-the-top punishment for a moment of frustration. But now, the FIA has taken things to another level, introducing strict penalties for drivers who swear or make political statements.

New FIA sporting code added for 2025 with penalties (Photo via fia.com)

Under the new regulations, all drivers under the FIA can face massive fines, race suspensions, and even championship point deductions for misconduct, including “moral injury” and statements that violate the FIA’s so-called neutrality. The message is clear: stay in line or face the consequences. These new regulations aren’t about maintaining order; they’re about control.

The FIA’s new rules are sweeping and vague, leaving a worrying amount of room for interpretation. A first offense will cost a driver at least €40,000, and a third strike comes with a one-month suspension and a loss of championship points. But what counts as an offense?

Swearing? That’s on the list. Making a statement that could be considered political, religious, or personal? That too. Even if drivers want to speak out, they need written approval from the FIA. The final penalty decision is left to the race stewards, meaning punishments can be handed out selectively.

Drivers kneeling in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2022 during the We Race As One ceremony (Photo via the PlanetF1.com)

The FIA argues that other sports leagues like the NFL and FIFA have similar policies. However, unlike those leagues, where player unions negotiate with governing bodies, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) was not consulted. This wasn’t a discussion. It was a decree.

The FIA claims these rules protect the integrity of the sport. But whose integrity are they protecting? Do these regulations protect drivers and fans or the powerful figures behind the FIA who don’t want anything disrupting their financial relationships?

Formula 1 already operates under a system where a small group of ultra-wealthy men call the shots. Now, they want to silence the drivers, the very people who make this sport what it is. Fans don’t just watch F1 for the on-track action; they also admire the drivers’ courage off the track. We’ve seen Lewis Hamilton, the sport’s only Black driver, use his platform to push for diversity, wearing a “Black Lives Matter” shirt on the podium. Sebastian Vettel openly advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and climate action in his final years in the sport. Should these actions now come with a fine?

Lewis Hamilton’s 2022 helmet in support of the LGBTQ+ community, a display of unity that would be sanctioned in 2025 (Photo via @lewishamilton on Instagram)

In 2023, Hamilton made it clear: he will not be silenced. He’s expected to make a stand again, and when he does, will the FIA go as far as suspending a seven-time world champion for speaking out?

There’s also a glaring double standard here. The FIA wants to fine and suspend drivers for swearing or speaking out, yet F1 has built part of its modern appeal on exactly that. Drive to Survive, the Netflix series responsible for bringing in millions of new fans thrives on the raw personalities of drivers and team bosses. Guenther Steiner became a household name because of his colorful language. Daniel Ricciardo’s charm was amplified by his unfiltered personality. The sport profited from this, and now they’re punishing the behavior that helped them grow.

This isn’t just about swearing. It’s about silencing drivers from using their voices. These new regulations are deliberately vague, leaving the door open for selective enforcement. Who decides what is considered a political statement? Who decides when an opinion crosses the line? The FIA has granted itself the power to police speech as it sees fit.

Also, there is a significant financial aspect to these new rules. Drivers across multiple series have already raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding where the money goes, yet no answers have been given. These fines are staggering, especially for drivers and teams that are not as highly paid or funded as many top-tier F1 drivers are.

The GDPA class of 2024 under the mention #racingunited after their first statement against the FIA regulations in November (Photo via @grandprixdriversassociation on Instagram)

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, the closest thing F1 drivers have to a union, will not take this lightly. George Russell, a GPDA director, has already voiced frustration with the FIA’s leadership.

The FIA has made it clear they see drivers as nothing more than athletes who should “stick to racing.” But F1 is more than just a sport; it’s a global stage. At their core, athletes have the right to use their voices, and fans expect them to. 

During the F175 event in London, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay commented on this expectation when asked by announcer Jack Whitehall, stating, ““It’s an industry language. These athletes push themselves to the extreme, so sometimes when it comes out, let them be real, let it go…They’re risking their life every time, traveling over 200mph per hour. So, if the s**t hits the fan…”. Ramsay was applauded by fans in person and online for this public statement in direct opposition to the FIA’s decision.

By cracking down on drivers’ speech, the FIA isn’t protecting Formula 1; it’s damaging it. Fans connect with the sport because of the personalities involved, the drama, and the passion. If the FIA continues down this path, it risks stripping the sport of its soul.

The question now is: will the drivers push back? Given what we’ve seen from the likes of Hamilton, Russell, and the GPDA, the FIA may have just ignited a battle they can’t win.