FIA Updates Penalties on Driver Swearing Officially

The FIA has made changes to the way it penalizes drivers for swearing, adjusting the rules in Appendix B of the International Sporting Code. Starting mid-May 2025, the fine for misconduct related to language has been reduced from €10,000 to €5,000 as a base amount.

For FIA World Championship competitors, this reduction is even more significant, with different multipliers applied. The revision comes after months of debate and pushback from drivers across several series, especially following the case of Adrien Fourmaux, who was fined for using a swear word in a World Rally Championship interview in February.

Earlier in the year, new guidelines were added to the code, targeting verbal and written language, gestures, and signs that are deemed insulting or abusive, alongside stricter rules against assault or incitement. Some drivers and teams criticized the lack of clarity around what counted as a violation.

They cited incidents like Formula E’s Dan Ticktum using expletives over radio at the Jeddah E-Prix without punishment, while others in different series faced fines for similar language. Motorsport insiders pointed out that these guidelines appeared to gain momentum after Max Verstappen used a swear word during a Formula 1 press conference at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

Verstappen responded to the tightened rules by giving shorter responses in later media sessions. The growing concern from drivers spanned Formula 1, the WRC, and other global championships.

Now, the FIA is giving more flexibility to race stewards. The updated wording specifies that first-time offenders can have their penalties suspended, and that any mitigating circumstances—like the driver’s emotional state—should be considered.

The code clarifies which sessions are subject to discipline. Controlled settings include areas like press conferences and official interviews, while comments made in uncontrolled settings, such as on-track radio, are less likely to trigger punishment.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, himself a former rally driver, commented that he understands the intense emotions involved in competition. He said the review included feedback from all seven FIA world championships and member clubs, aiming to protect sportsmanship while offering stewards practical guidance.

The new measures also switch any abuse of officials from financial penalties to sporting ones, and restate that any form of discriminatory language or racial abuse will be met with strong action. Garry Connelly, chair of the F1 stewards’ panel, says these changes help stewards sort out on- and off-track incidents fairly while still allowing full discretion in assigning penalties.

He believes the revised approach will help keep motorsport welcoming for fans and participants of all ages and backgrounds. The FIA continues to refine its approach in response to real-world issues and feedback from the motorsport community.

These new rules aim to balance competitive emotion with respect, keeping race weekends engaging yet respectful for everyone involved. The changes reflect a growing commitment across championships, including series like the Outlaw Nitro Series 2025, to uphold professionalism on and off the track.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.