The F1 drivers’ association has sent an open letter to the International Automobile Federation.
18:58•Updated 19:10
The Formula 1 drivers’ association has demanded the international automobile association FIA to treat athletes like adults. The demand came after Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc was punished for swearing.
– It’s a different thing to curse to offend others than to curse, say, bad weather or an F1 car. We urge the FIA president to consider his own language and tone of voice when speaking about drivers publicly or otherwise, the open letter said.
– In addition, our members are adults. There is no need to give them instructions about wearing jewelry or underwear.
The background of the letter is a long-standing uproar about drivers cursing. President of the FIA by Mohammed Ben Sulayem gave an interview before the Singapore GP in September where he disapproved of drivers swearing on TV. Verstappen swore at the Singapore press conference and was punished with “community service”.
Ben Sulayem has stated that F1 needs to “separate itself from rap music”. Lewis Hamilton thought that the chairman’s speech had a “racist element”.
Leclerc was fined last weekend for swearing at the previous race in Mexico.
The reference to jewelry and underwear is related to Ben Suleyman’s earlier comment about proper underwear and banning jewelry.