George Russell has sharply criticised the FIA’s decision to reverse its swearing ban, calling the move “suspect” and “ludicrous” after the controversial guideline underwent significant changes. On Thursday, the FIA introduced ‘Appendix B’ to its sporting code, which now distinguishes swearing based on whether it occurs in a ‘controlled’ environment, such as press conferences, or a ‘non-controlled’ one like behind the wheel during a race. This adjustment downgraded the original rule from January in response to mounting backlash from drivers, lowering financial penalties and effectively separating the contexts in which profanity is judged.
Although no Formula 1 driver has been fined for swearing, Max Verstappen was previously ordered to complete community service for calling his car “f**ked” last season, highlighting the governing body’s initial strict approach. Russell, known for his vocal criticism of the original ban, expressed frustration that the FIA only made changes after widespread disapproval. As a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, he told journalists in Imola that the rule should never have been introduced at all.
“I feel the changes should have never happened in the first place,”
Russell said.
“So we’re talking about a situation where things have been reverted, because it was a little bit ludicrous in the first place. We’re happy to see things go back to how they should be, but it should never have been there in the first place. So it feels a bit wrong to be thanking the changes when we shouldn’t have been in that place to begin with. It’s a bit of a strange predicament, and we’ve still had no correspondence with anyone from senior level at the FIA. So it’s all a bit suspect.”
The recently altered policy underscores the ongoing tension between drivers and the FIA’s leadership, particularly its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Russell’s criticism extends to the FIA’s communication style, which he describes as silent or dismissive. After race director Niels Wittich’s mid-season departure, Russell revealed that the FIA did not inform the drivers directly; instead, Ben Sulayem reportedly told him to “mind his own business.”
“None of their business. Sorry,” Russell said in an interview with Autosport.
“With all respect, I am a driver. I respect the drivers. Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race. Do we have to tell them? When something in the teams changes, do they tell us? No, they don’t. Nobody has to. We have the rules, we follow our rules. We don’t follow someone else’s rule. Simple as this.”
This dispute reveals a growing divide between Formula 1’s competitors and its governing body, reflective of broader frustrations within the sport about transparency and respect for the drivers’ voices. Russell’s intense reaction, blending urgency with clear disdain, highlights how such regulatory decisions can impact morale and trust among key stakeholders. The FIA’s reversal on the swearing ban may calm immediate tensions, but without clearer communication, the unrest among drivers like George Russell is likely to persist.
