Formula 1 continues to surprise us, but often not for the right reasons. While the spectacle on the track is still breathtaking, what happens behind the scenes—in the pits, in the paddock and especially in the decision-making rooms—often seems to generate dismay. Today more than ever, the choices made by the sport's top brass, which should steer F1 toward a better future, leave us perplexed. The latest emblematic case concerns the language used by the drivers during team radio, a topic that has sparked a real controversy, made even more striking by the recent statements from the FIA president, Mohamed Ben Sulayem and the sanction received by Max Verstappen, guilty of having said a swear word in a press conference.
F1 torn between freedom of expression and censorship
The controversy erupted when the FIA decided to punish Max Verstappen for using a language considered inappropriate during the press conference in view of the Singapore GP weekend with hours of community service.
Yes, you read that correctly!
A punishment that seems truly disproportionate and ridiculous when compared to other much more serious and potentially dangerous behaviors that often go unnoticed or unpunished.
Max Verstappen, in particular, has always shown that he is not afraid to speak his mind, both on and off the track. He is a driver who does not wear masks and does not easily bend to the rules of political correctness, and perhaps it is precisely this authenticity that has triggered the FIA's reaction.
The Dutch champion was quick to express his dissent. In a private press conference with journalists, held not without encountering opposition from the Federation, Verstappen explained how the penalty had been the object of ridicule among the pilots: “In our GPDA WhatsApp group, everyone was almost laughing, like, 'What the hell is this?'”According to the drivers, the punishment for using colourful words is completely out of context, considering the extremely competitive and adrenaline-pumping nature of Formula 1.
The problem is not just about language, but the concern is broader: the right to freedom of expression. “When you can't be yourself, you have to deal with this kind of nonsense,” Verstappen said, complaining that the regulatory and media pressure imposed by the FIA is suffocating the drivers. “They are turning us into robots,” he added, a cutting criticism that reflects a widespread malaise in the paddock.
Solidarity among drivers: common front with Verstappen against the FIA
As mentioned, Max Verstappen is not alone in this battle against the FIA. Other top drivers, including Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, have shown their support, not only with statements but also with gestures that have clearly shown their dissent towards the measures adopted by the Federation.
“It's ridiculous that a pilot should be punished for what he says when he's under pressure,” commented Norris following a particularly tense press conference in which Verstappen responded in a dry and monosyllabic manner.
F1 veteran and prominent figure in the sport Lewis Hamilton has been even more vocal in his support for Max. “I wouldn't do them, and I hope he doesn't do them either,” he said, referring to the community service punishment handed down to Verstappen for using foul language. He added that the FIA’s priority should be to focus on more serious issues, rather than repressing drivers’ emotional expressions. “We are not here to be puppets. We are here to compete, to compete at the highest level and, yes, sometimes to say things that may not sound right. But that's part of the game,” Hamilton concluded, reiterating the drivers' right to be themselves, even under pressure.
The seven-time world champion, always at the forefront of human rights, added to the dose by emphasizing how Ben Sulayem's words have a racist connotation: "I don't like the way he phrased it. The comparison to rappers was very stereotypical, and when you consider that most rappers are black, it's like saying, 'We're not like them.'"
The role of the GPDA: defending the freedom of pilots
In this context, the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) has taken an increasingly firm stance. The association's president, Alexander Wurz, has spoken out strongly against the FIA's decision to punish drivers for language. In an interview with the German website Formel1.de, Wurz highlighted the inconsistency of some recent choices:
“If we take Gunther Steiner, for example, who is glorified for his colorful language on Netflix, how many hours of community service should he have served? Nobody complained then, but now suddenly we have to change direction.”
FIA loses sight of priorities
Tensions between drivers and the FIA therefore look set to increase if the federation does not review its approach. The support Verstappen has received from his colleagues is indicative of a broader discontent regarding excessive regulation and the apparent lack of priority in the management of the sport.
The FIA's desire to censor the drivers' language raises a bigger problem: the federation's attention seems to have shifted to marginal issues, neglecting the real priorities of motorsport. It is no coincidence that Verstappen went so far as to underline: “Enough is enough”, even threatening to leave Formula 1. If the FIA continues to impose increasingly restrictive rules, it is not excluded that the Dutchman, and other drivers, could be attracted by new projects that guarantee them more freedom.
The real challenges for the FIA should be different. For example, the growing phenomenon of online abuse against drivers and teams, a problem that would require a coordinated and incisive response. Or the management of regulatory controversies, often confusing and inconsistent, that undermine the credibility of decisions taken on the track.
Fans demand authenticity
Ultimately, what fans want is to see the passion and humanity of the drivers, those characteristics that make Formula 1 so special. Depriving the protagonists of the possibility of expressing themselves freely risks alienating not only the drivers, but also the public. As Verstappen said, “The beauty of F1 is that it’s real, raw.”
If the FIA continues down this path, it risks alienating its fan base, for whom authenticity, spontaneity and emotion are not just accessories, but the beating heart of the sport.
