FIA swearing ban: WRC drivers hit back against “unacceptable” fines

The backlash over the FIA’s swearing ban isn’t going away, with WRC drivers now taking a united stance against being told what they can and can’t say.

It comes after Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 (plus another €20,000 suspended) for swearing in a TV interview after Rally Sweden two weekends ago.

The Frenchman, 29, had been referring to an incident where he’d lost time stopping to tighten his helmet strap and belts, declaring that he and his co-driver had “****** up” in the build-up to stage 11. He later apologised.

However, Fourmaux and his fellow WRC drivers have all put their name to a statement from the World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) condemning the “alarming increase in the severity of the sanctions imposed for minor, isolated and unintentional language lapses". It adds: “This has reached an unacceptable level.”

The drivers argue that common, er, fruity turns of phrase shouldn’t be punished in the same way as actual insults, that non-native speakers should be shown leniency, and that it’s “unrealistic to expect a perfect and systematic control over emotions” moments after hurtling through a rally stage.

“Rally is extreme: risk level for the athletes, intensity of the focus, length of the days… all the limits are reached.

“In such a case we question the relevance and validity of imposing any sort of penalty. Moreover, the exorbitant fines are vastly disproportionate to the average income and budget in rallying.

“We are also concerned with the public impression these excessive sums create in the minds of fans, suggesting this is an industry where money doesn’t matter.”

WoRDA also wants to know what the money from fines is being spent on, claiming there’s a “lack of transparency” in the system.

“We call for a direct communication and engagement between the FIA President and WoRDA members to find a mutually agreeable and urgent solution.”

Earlier this month both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz Jr pushed back against the FIA’s new rules, and F1 drivers are thought to be considering their own collective response.

No wonder Mohammed Ben Sulayem is calling for the return of V10 engines: no one would be able to hear the team radio ever again!