Formula One drivers need more guidance from the governing FIA on what they can say at races this season after a rule change caused concern, Williams driver Alex Albon said on Monday.
The FIA updated the International Sports Code last December with a provision that required prior written permission for motorists to make or display “political statements or comments”. , religion and individuality”.
The move has become a topic of discussion ahead of the season, with uncertainty over how it might be applied in practice.
“This seems like a pretty broad topic… we need clarity from the FIA on what they’re trying to tell us,” Albon told reporters during the team’s factory debut. .
“Personally, it’s a bit confusing… we’ve been very concerned about ‘We Race As One’ and all such situations and so now it looks like the FIA is trying to stay away from that. there.
“So we need to see. We need to have an open dialogue about what they’re trying to do. We need to be able to talk freely to some degree. I’m sure we’ll understand later on. It’s clear what they’re really doing.” trying to speak.”
F1 has launched the diversity, inclusion and sustainability platform “We Race As One” in 2020, in which drivers gather on the grid before the race to show support with a gesture of their choice. .
Some riders, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has spoken out in support of human rights and racial equality, chose to kneel while others remained standing but wore t-shirts that supported a variety of other causes. together.
Some have expressed concern about the move, with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez saying last Friday that they need to be able to speak freely.
Human rights groups also criticized the FIA’s position.
“A lot of people come to us and see us as spokespeople for issues around the world, and I really feel it is a responsibility of drivers to keep people informed about situations,” said Albon. like this. “We’re all worried.”
The season kicks off in Bahrain on March 5.
