FIA clarifies control over F1 drivers making political statements

The FIA ​​has offered a clear explanation around their controversial crackdown on political protests in Formula 1, insisting that any claim at a major race would still be subject to approval. permission of the governing body.

In December, the FIA ​​updated the International Sports Code with a provision requiring prior written permission for motorists to make or display “political statements or comments, religious and personal.”

Lewis Hamilton is one of the racers publicly criticized this rule changeSaying nothing will prevent him from speaking up about issues that concern him.

McLaren’s Lando Norris likened this rule to drivers driving… be treated like a studentwhile Williams’ Alex Albon said all drivers oppose strict control.

There was confusion about exactly what the rule change did and didn’t include, but on Friday the FIA ​​elaborated in more detail.

Motorists are free to express themselves in their own time but the FIA ​​has clarified three key areas where motorists are not allowed to make certain statements, as outlined in Friday document.

• FIA press conference (except answering questions directly from accredited journalists);

• activities on the race track (Course) or equivalent (e.g. during the Racers’ Parade and the national anthem);

• or pre-race/post-race procedures or equivalent (e.g. podium award ceremony, cool-down room, or group photo session at the start and end of the season.

This suggests that political rallies on racing helmets will be banned without permission.

Drivers who wish to be allowed to demonstrate outside of this range must do so in writing four weeks before the event in question.

The FIA ​​also gives examples of what would be considered a political, religious or personal statement.

In a long list that the regulator insists is incomplete, political statements include the following in the form of “images, symbols, gestures, words or actions.”

• Any living or deceased politically involved or politically sensitive person(s) (unless the contest’s official name is stated).

• Any local, regional, national or international political party/organization/group

• Any specific political action/event.

• Any military conflict or political dispute between countries, regions, religions or communities.

• Any particular ethnic or indigenous community, or aware of its discrimination against another.

The FIA ​​encourages anyone who is aware of a potential violation to notify the race director or the course secretary, who will then report the matter to the meeting manager for a determination as to whether a violation is warranted. happen or not.

Managers will have a variety of penalties that can be imposed on them for any violation, including warnings, reprimands, fines (up to 250,000 Euros) and various sporting penalties including including exclusion from an event.

An FIA spokesperson said: “A Guide has been issued to participants in International Competitions outlining the scope of an update to the FIA’s International Sports Code in December. This update reinforces the FIA’s longstanding commitment to upholding motor sport neutrality and will especially ensure neutrality during key moments in all motorsport competitions. , such as podiums, national anthems and official ‘on the field’ activities – it does not impose any additional restrictions on individuals expressing their views beyond these times.

“The Guiding Note does not change Article 12.2.1.n of the FIA ​​International Sports Code. A separate guideline document should be provided to facilitate the implementation of the principle of neutrality in various motor sports.”