Charles Leclerc has raised questions about the recent attempts by the FIA to curb the use of foul language. President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated before the Singapore GP that he wanted to tackle swearing over the team radio. Shortly after, Max Verstappen received a penalty for using the word ‘fucked’ during a press conference. Leclerc wonders if the organization has its priorities straight.
“I wonder if the FIA has nothing better to do,” said Charles Leclerc in the aftermath of the race weekend in Singapore. “Aren’t we all adults? This is one of the few sports where we can hear the athletes all the time during a competition,” he referred to the team radios that are regularly broadcasted.
Leclerc says he is willing to watch his language, but wants something in return. “I would like to ask the FIA to simply censor some words or to broadcast fewer team radios,” he said. “That seems pretty simple to me. It’s quite difficult to watch your words when you’re driving at three hundred kilometers per hour between the walls of a street circuit. After all, we are only human. So, I don’t think this should be a priority for the FIA.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated earlier that swearing has no place in Formula 1. “After all, we are not rappers,” said the Arab. Leclerc’s future teammate, Lewis Hamilton, was shocked by this statement and pointed out the ‘racist element’ of it. However, the Brit did agree that there should be less swearing in the car.
