The Formula 1 Drivers Association, the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association, in its acronym in English), has staged a type of complaint before the FIA for the policy of disapprovals and punishments that it applies to the drivers, whom it sanctions for his swearing. In a statement made public today, the GPDA tells FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to “consider your own tone and language”, that drivers are “adults” and that they “do not need instructions on matters as trivial as the use of jewelry and underpants.”
Words you don’t like
This season, F1 has sanctioned Verstappen and Leclerc for saying the word “fucked” or “fuck”
The F1 drivers, who rarely demonstrate collectively despite the many reasons they would have in a risky discipline in which they are protagonists, have raised their voices this time through their representative body as a result of the sanctions. that has occurred due to the use of “bad” words, which the FIA does not like.
Specifically, the drivers have been upset by the punishments of Max Verstappen (with community service) and Charles Leclerc (with a 5,000 euro fine) for swearing at Grand Prix press conferences, organized by the FIA. The Dutchman said “fucking” twice referring to his car, in the run-up to the Singapore GP, and the Monegasque said “fuck” when explaining the behavior of his Ferrari that was oversteering…
GPDA statement
“We pilots are adults, we do not need to receive instructions through the media on matters as trivial as the use of jewelry and underpants”
In its complaint, the Drivers’ Association, chaired by George Russell (Mercedes), makes different considerations, about swearing and the need for transparency from the FIA.
Regarding swear words, the drivers say: “There is a difference between saying them with the intention of insulting others and between using more casual words, such as those used to describe bad weather, a Formula 1 car or a crash situation. pilotage”.
Therefore, the GPDA urges the FIA president “to also take into account his own tone and language when addressing our members, or even when speaking about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise.” And he reminds Ben Sulayem: “Furthermore, our members are adults, they do not need to receive instructions through the media on such trivial matters as wearing jewelry and underpants.”
Next, the GPDA expresses its rejection of fines for pilots for the use of swear words. “Financial fines for drivers are not appropriate for our sport. “We have also expressed our concern about the negative image that financial fines give to this sport.”
He also calls for transparency from the FIA: “For the last three years, we have asked the FIA President to share the details and strategy on how FIA fines are allocated and where the funds are spent. Once again, we ask the FIA President for financial transparency and a direct and open dialogue with us. “All stakeholders (the FIA, F1, the teams and the GPDA) must jointly determine how and where money is spent for the benefit of our sport.”
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