Stiffer penalties for race drivers who swear

Formula One drivers face the possibility of fines or points deductions after the International Automobile Federation (FIA) introduced new guidelines to punish swearing or other sporting violations.

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An initial tightening of the rules in 2024 was criticised by a number of F1 drivers, notably Max Verstappen before the Dutchman went on to become a four-time world champion. But the FIA, the sport’s governing body, has decided to go further.

In a statement released on Jan 23 evening, the FIA defined misconduct as “the general use of language (written or verbal, gesture and/or coarse, rude or offensive, insulting, reasonably or abusive and might cause offence, humiliation or to be inappropriate coarse or rude or to be offensive” and “inciting, assaulting (elbowing, kicking, punching hitting, etc.) and including assaulting of a verbal abuse”.