Formula One Bosses Take A Stand For The Drivers As FIA Cracks Down On Swear Words

The FIA has been cracking down upon drivers for the use of swear words and it is being harsh in its punishment. Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen was recently reprimanded by the stewards at the Singapore Grand Prix for the use of the f-word during a press conference. The move by the FIA also faced backlash from 7-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton who went after the FIA president after the president speaking on the move said that F1 drivers are not rappers. 

Lewis Hamilton called out the FIA President for his statement citing that the statement was racist. Now the F1 team bosses have sided with the drivers saying that it is a natural reaction when driving at 350 miles per hour. 

F1 Team Bosses Side With The Drivers 

Several F1 team bosses have come out and shown their support for the drivers saying that it is a natural reaction and an emotional response can be expected when someone is behind the wheel of an F1 car.  At the forefront of this were Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur and Williams Team Boss James Vowels. 

“I think we have to make a difference on the language during the race because I think we are one of the only sports where…you don’t have the microphone on the football player or whatever. I don’t want to say the football player as a reference, but we have to understand also that they are driving the car at 350 [km/h] and I’m not sure that the language is the first priority for them when they are driving the car.

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“And this, I can perfectly understand that. We can discuss about the other approach and, again, I won’t do it for obvious reasons, but I think when they are in the car, it’s a bit harsh,” said the Ferrari team boss in light of the new rule by the FIA. 

James Vowels Adds His Voice To The Mix

Williams team boss James Vowels agreed with his Ferrari counterpart in feeling that the new FIA rule was a bit harsh and that drivers should be allowed to swear during races as it is an emotional response. 

“I think Fred’s right. I mean, when you’re actually out there in the moment, and even at a point where you think someone has challenged your life, which is often some of the maneuvers that end up being – all of you, everyone in this room, would have an emotional reaction to that. 

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“There were two differences to it. Clearly, I understand we’re a world sport, and there’s other elements that we have to remain under control, and there are other situations where perhaps language has been used on the slowdown lap in a stationary pit lane that can absolutely be avoided.

“But we have to also try and keep in mind that we have some of the most elite athletes in the world putting their life on the line as gladiators, and that will cause an emotional reaction.

“And as many words as I can use with them here in the calm of the moment, you’ve still got adrenaline through the body, and it would be very difficult to change that period.

“I mean, Franco [Colapinto] swore today, if I’m completely transparent, but I’ll have a chat with him later about that.

“That wasn’t for any other reason than he forgot something. That, we can clean up.

“But I think, in the heat of the moment, we’re asking a lot of athletes,” said James Vowels in his statement.