F1 Red Bull car on track. F1’s swearing ban is causing controversy

Elma Taric

Formula 1’s swearing ban sanctioning drivers for foul language has been heavily criticised. Recent events have highlighted the FIA’s recent mismanagement.

Under Formula 1’s swearing ban, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was the first to be issued a penalty in the form of ‘community service.’ He was found to have breached misconduct rules after swearing during a press conference. The three-time world champion has since actively protested against the rule. Verstappen has refused to talk in interviews and has held his own to crowds of journalists outside official quarters.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also swore during a press conference. Despite immediately apologising, Leclerc was warned and fined $10,000 for the infringement. The fine is double the amount Lando Norris and others were fined in the Brazilian Grand Prix when they disobeyed aborted racing start orders.

Formula 1’s Swearing Ban Reactions

Formula 1’s swearing ban has sparked a debate on whether it is inappropriate for the drivers to swear. Some argue that swearing should not be censored as this supresses authenticity. Others say it is inappropriate as children may be watching and it may set a bad example.

Drivers who have spoken on the ban support Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton called the punishment “a joke,” and Lando Norris has said the sanction is “unfair.” Daniel Ricciardo also poked fun at the ban. He opted to not go into detail on his Singapore qualifying “in case [he] gets a day of community service.”

However, there are some in support of it. Motorsports commentator Martin Brundle says “gratuitous swearing” is not a “good look,” saying drivers have a responsibility to control their swearing. Brundle however, does acknowledge that “in the heat of the moment, it [swearing] happens.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff provides a more neutral view: “I think there is an argument that big swearing and being rude on the radio is not something that should happen […] I think it’s always the context and the way you say it. But we want to have emotions. We want to have raw moments.”

The Larger Problem

The swearing ban seems to be a symptom of a larger problem within Formula 1 and the FIA’s management. Last week, the racing drivers created an Instagram account called the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GDPA), named after the already established driver’s union.

In their first collaborated post, they detailed the swearing controversy and called for a removal of the ban. The statement also asked for the drivers to be ‘treated as adults.’

The jewellery and undergarment problems that have taken place over the last few years were also mentioned in the post. In the same fashion as Verstappen, Hamilton wore several watches, necklaces and bracelets to protest against the jewellery rules in 2022. Similarly, former driver Sebastian Vettel wore underwear over his racing suit to combat the fireproof clothing restrictions in the same year.

The post also referenced other issues such as the FIA director Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s problematic comments and the increasing FIA financial penalties. Sulayem referred to swearing as incompatible with Formula 1. The director stated: “Drivers are not rappers […] That’s them and we’re us.” Sulayem has also been known to criticise the drivers’ increased activism.

Furthermore, it is rumoured over $300,000 has been amassed in monetary fines by the FIA this year. Due to limited transparency, there is no clear indication as to how and where this money is spent. Just last year, the FIA quadrupled their maximum fine to one million euros, with little explanation as to what actions could warrant such a high penalty.

What Should Formula 1 Do About Swearing?

Drivers should lead with conduct and act appropriately. However, swearing in F1 has been commonplace since the beginning of the sport. The recent crackdown of it is over sanitisation as it forces drivers to censor themselves and deters the focus on racing.

Drivers are unable to express themselves without fearing penalties. As the GDPA post says, there is a clear difference between intentional, hurtful swearing towards another driver, and casual foul language meant to describe something— such as Verstappen and Leclerc’s cases.

The ban is also an odd move considering the success of Netflix’s F1 series Drive To Survive. Swearing is a tool used by the show to show the personality of the sport and its participants. Therefore, it resonates with viewers. This is especially evident when it comes to the former Haas team principal Gunther Steiner, who is loved for his language and humour.

On the other hand, swearing is not usually allowed in other sports and is typically frowned upon. Maybe it is time for Formula 1 to move past such words and behaviour in the contemporary world. Moreover, young children could be exposed to inappropriate language. In recent years, Formula 1 has gained more popularity with younger audiences tuning in. Continuous swearing could project a poor image of the sport, which is a valid concern.

It is also worth mentioning that most hosted channels censor the swears in bleeps already due to media restriction standards. During the race, radio communications broadcasts are delayed to accommodate this. Furthermore, young children can still access Formula 1 in a child-friendly way through the F1 Kids channel on YouTube, should swearing continue.

The Verdict

Regardless of public opinion, the drivers have clearly displayed their contempt for the ban— and the FIA’s overall behaviour.

The swearing debacle is a small problem in a larger web of issues surrounding the FIA. The drivers seem intent on fixing it if their first statement on the GDPA account is anything to go by.

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Featured image courtesy of Joe McGowan on Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.

Elma Taric is a Psychology and Criminology student based in Australia. She has aspirations of working in the Criminal Justice and Journalism industries. Elma currently writes pieces on news, entertainment and sports.

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