F1 drivers could face bans of up to one month for swearing multiple times this season as part of a new rules package from the FIA.
Following president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s call for greater punishments for foul language, fines have been introduced, scaling up to £101,400 (€120,000) on the third offence.
For continued breaches of the regulation, drivers can face penalties as steep as one-month race bans and even championship point deductions.
The rule change has produced backlash from drivers. Alex Albon said: “We’re still ongoing about how we want to output what we say around it. It is a delicate matter. Do we think it’s right? Of course not. I don’t think we should be so monetised in every single aspect of what we do. It’s a pure adrenaline sport as well. I don’t think us walking around with the mics all the time is [right].”
George Russell added: “As drivers, we continue to show personality. I do think there is merit in saying that there is no need in an environment like this. But ultimately – especially for the guys where English isn’t their first language, the first thing you get taught are the swearwords.
“And the first Italian words he (Kimi Antonelli) has taught me are the swearwords. I don’t really know to be honest, and I don’t have much more to say on it than that.”