WRC drivers call on FIA president for “urgent solution” to swearing sanctions 

World Rally Championship drivers have referred to as for communication with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to seek out an “pressing resolution” following the governing physique’s transfer to sanction drivers for swearing.   

WRC drivers and co-drivers by way of the World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) have in the present day issued a press release opposing the measures the FIA has taken to impose fines on drivers for swearing. 

It comes after Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux was slapped with a €10,000 fine and hit with a suspended €20,000 fine for swearing during a television interview at the conclusion of Rally Sweden, earlier this month.

Fourmaux was deemed to have breached Article 12.2.1.l of the 2025 FIA Worldwide Sporting Code that covers use of “inappropriate language” after saying “we f***ed up yesterday” throughout an interview when referring to a messy begin to stage 11.   

The Frenchman turned the primary driver to be sanctioned underneath the FIA’s new motorsport-wide clampdown on “inappropriate language”. 

This latest step by WRC drivers mirrors a move by the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), which last year issued a statement after Red Bull’s Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen was given a community service punishment for swearing in an FIA press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Protests had been subsequently made by eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier and 2019 world champion Ott Tanak at Rally Chile final 12 months. The pair restricted their solutions in media interviews after Ogier was handed a suspended €30,000 nice from the FIA for feedback he directed at officers on the finish of the opening stage at Acropolis Rally Greece final 12 months.  

The WRC drivers’ assertion acknowledges that opponents “should abide by the Referee’s resolution” and their accountability to work with stakeholders to “promote” and “elevate” the game. 

Nevertheless, WoRDA strongly opposes the swearing ban imposed by the FIA, stating the “severity of the sanctions imposed for minor, remoted and unintentional language lapses” have reached “an unacceptable degree”.

The WRC drivers have additionally questioned “the relevance and validity of imposing any form of penalty” for “unintentional language lapses” and seeks transparency from the FIA for fines it has said are “exorbitant” and “vastly disproportionate to the typical earnings and price range in rallying”.

“This additionally raises a elementary query, the place does the cash from these fines go?,” learn a part of the assertion. 

“The shortage of transparency solely amplifies considerations and undermines confidence within the system. Absolutely the unfavourable impressions surrounding these penalties far outweigh the impression of any language lapse.”

The assertion was signed by WRC Rally1 drivers and co-drivers, alongside main members from WRC2, and Ogier’s former co-driver, turned tv presenter Julien Ingrassia.

The WoRDA (world rally drivers alliance) assertion in full

The Rally Drivers and Co-drivers of WoRDA, impressed by their GPDA colleagues, be a part of collectively to specific their opinion, search readability and co-operate in the direction of a brighter future. 

Firstly, we want to state that, as is the case with each sport, opponents should abide by the Referee’s resolution. The respect of this precept will not be in query. We aren’t all full-time professionals, but all of us face the identical excessive situations with the identical relentless ardour. 

Whether or not navigating by way of dense forests, throughout frozen roads at the hours of darkness, or by way of the mud of treacherous gravel tracks, we push ourselves to the restrict – towards the weather, towards the clock, and towards our personal limits. Past racing, our position has expanded. Right this moment, rally drivers and co-drivers aren’t solely athletes but additionally entertainers, content material creators, and fixed media figures. 

From the smartphones of spectators to the official WRC cameras, we’re anticipated to be out there always – earlier than, throughout, and after competitors, from daybreak to nightfall.

WoRDA has at all times recognised our obligations and dedication to collaborate in a constructive means with all stakeholders, together with the FIA President, so as to promote and elevate our excellent Sport for the advantage of all. 

In current months, nonetheless, there was an alarming enhance within the severity of the sanctions imposed for minor, remoted and unintentional language lapses. This has reached an unacceptable degree.”

We strongly imagine that: 

• Widespread colloquialism can’t be thought of and judged as equal to real insult or an act of aggression.
• Non mother-tongue audio system could use or repeat phrases with out full consciousness of their which means and connotation.
• Seconds after an excessive adrenaline spike, it’s unrealistic to anticipate an ideal and systematic management over feelings.
• Rally is Excessive: threat degree for the athletes, depth of the main focus, size of the times… all the bounds are reached. 

In such a case we query the relevance and validity of imposing any form of penalty. Furthermore, the exorbitant fines are vastly disproportionate to the typical earnings and price range in rallying. 

We’re additionally involved with the general public impression these extreme sums create within the minds of the followers, suggesting that is an business the place cash doesn’t matter. 

This additionally raises a elementary query the place does the cash from these fines go? 

The shortage of transparency solely amplifies considerations and undermines confidence within the system. Absolutely the unfavourable impressions surrounding these penalties far outweigh the impression of any language lapse.

We name for a direct communication and engagement between the FIA President and WoRDA members to discover a mutually agreeable and pressing resolution.

Sportingly, The Rally Drivers and Co-drivers members of WoRDA

Sebastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanpera, Ott Tanak, Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Jonne Halttunen, Martin Jarveoja, Vincent Landais, Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Grégoire Munster, Louis Louka, Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Martins Sesks, Francis Renars, Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Josh McErlean, Eoin Treacy, Candido Carrera, Gus Greensmith, Jonas Andersson, Yohan Rossel, Arnaud Dunand, Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Leo Rossel, Guillaume Mercoiret, Dani Sordo, Julien Ingrassia.