All 20 current F1 drivers call on the FIA to rethink its recently introduced crackdown on swearing, urging the sport's governing body to treat them as adults.

The open letter to the FIA, posted on the Grand Prix Drivers' Association Instagram account comes days after the drivers participated in conditions that saw veterans like Fernando Alonso describe as the worst he had ever known, and Bernie Ecclestone claim that Max Verstappen's was one of the greatest wet weather drives he had ever witnessed.

Nonetheless, the FIA, led by president Mohammed ben Sulayem, wants drivers to stop swearing, insisting that it is a bad example to the sport's younger followers.

Days after Ben Sulayem mention his intention to crack down on swearing Verstappen was given community service for swearing during a press conference, while Charles Leclerc was subsequently fined for a similar transgression.

In the letter, the drivers refer to other rules that Ben Sulayem has introduced during his tenure, notably the wearing of jewellery and 'approved' underwear, whilst openly question where the money from the fines actually goes.

"As is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the referee's decision, whether they like it or not, indeed whether they agree with it or not," reads the letter. "That is how sport works. The Drivers (our members) are no different, and fully understand that.

"Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every racing weekend they put on a great show for the fans.

"With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation.

"We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.

The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that Driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our Sport. For the past 3 years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA's financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent.

"We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the Sport. We once again request that the FIA President provide financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the Teams and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our Sport.

"The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great Sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it. We are playing our part.

"Best regards,

"The Directors and Chairman of the GPDA on behalf of the Grand Prix Drivers.

Claims that the FIA president reacted with the solitary word "b******s", are thought to be wide of the mark.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Italian Job, 08/11/2024 18:32

"@Celtic Tiger
Many years ago someone (Mansell?) referred to "First Class seats for men wearing blazers" as the destination for those $$$$$$$. . . . . . . ."

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2. Posted by Apexing, 08/11/2024 12:54

"If they're going to broadcast live radio feeds from the cars in real time, they should give the drivers a two-position switch that they can toggle back and forth: one for the clean, non-swearing broadcast feed, and one where they can swear to their heart's content!! "Did you see what that dirty ***** did?? That SOB drove right into me!!". It won't be long before Liberty Media monetizes the swear-filled feed, and makes it available for purchase. "

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3. Posted by Paulinho, 08/11/2024 10:57

"I can see both sides of this, and agree with the drivers on this one - the words don't have to be broadcast because nothing is "live" to the nano second. One of my jobs is working in radio, and we have a swear button to edit any "live" words that are said, it's an easy fix.

I would love to actually hear what Mohammad Sulayem said when he tested the Renault F1 car at the Dubai Autodrome.. I suspect it was " oopsie daisy " :D "

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4. Posted by Max Noble, 08/11/2024 2:35

"Phark Me! This is still getting oxygen…! He’ll be telling them out to set the dinner table, arrange washing on the line (colour and size order), and how to conduct a conversation over one of those new “telephone” things…!!!

While Miss Physics and Miss Manners are known to one another, Miss Physics goes to great lengths to ensure understanding of the difference between a law, and a polite suggestion… Me thinks the FIA should stick their polite suggestions where they belong and get on with stewarding quality racing… and where does the money go!?

"

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5. Posted by ffracer, 08/11/2024 1:51

"Nice, finally: GPDA calling out FIA President Mo BS... on his BS. Would love to know where the money is going as well and if it did indeed went to 'Bahrain track days with superstars Johnny Herbert and Emanuele Pirro'."

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6. Posted by kenji, 08/11/2024 0:01

"So if Ocon get passed down the inside by Gasly and he exclaims 'merde' then it costs him 8000 euros! Absolute madness......"

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7. Posted by Burton, 07/11/2024 19:20

"Alternatively they could have just posted the song Starting up a Posse by Anthrax."

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8. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 07/11/2024 17:51

"All the drivers should agree on list of words that replaces common swear words. Post the list online and start using the replacement words frequently & often. FIA cannot fine them as they are not swearing words, but everyone knows what they are saying.

Just as the FIA say foreign language swears are banned too. The whole thing is dumb. We do they care so much about the youngest viewers? None of them are targeted consumers of the team or series sponsors. "

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9. Posted by itc, 07/11/2024 17:22

"So the GPDA are telling Mohammed ben Sulayem to Foxtrot Oscar."

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10. Posted by Wokingchap, 07/11/2024 17:07

"I'd rather like to see this Ben xxxxx character voted out... gone."

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11. Posted by Alex_V10_USA, 07/11/2024 17:00

"Love this bit. Give'm h$ll boys!

"We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.""

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12. Posted by KKK, 07/11/2024 16:36

"All that needs to be done is the teams don't broadcast their radio conversations, or make them one way only"

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13. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 07/11/2024 14:10

"I would be very interested to know where the outrageous amounts of money drivers are arbitrarily fined is really going as well. Vettel was quite vocal about it when he raced and I've read the FIA shrug it off every time by stating that the money goes back into either grass root level racing, some charity or some program for safety. But that has never been proven right? No one presses them beyond the statement and they just move on. I'd like to see some investigative journalist deep dive into the claims to see if the money really gets where they say it goes.

That said, I don't know if the open letter will amount to much. Its a little passive aggressive for my taste. Although, the line about how the FIA president should mind his own tone and language when talking to drivers is fairly telling. Seems someone isn't practicing what they preach."

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