The Grand Prix Drivers Association, the union of Formula 1 drivers, has a clear message for FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. In an official statement, the GPDA indirectly supports Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, after the two drivers were penalized by the FIA for their language.
Verstappen used the word ‘fucked’ to describe the performance of his RB20 during the press moment in Singapore at the end of September. The Dutchman received a community service penalty for using the swear word, an unjust action by the FIA according to many of his colleagues. Charles Leclerc made the same mistake during the Grand Prix weekend in Mexico, also dropping the word ‘fuck’ during the post-race press conference. The Monegasque got away with just a fine because he immediately apologized for his language.
The Grand Prix Drivers Association, the union that all Formula 1 drivers belong to, is now standing up for the two drivers. “Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the highest class of international motorsport. They are gladiators and every race weekend they put on a great show for the fans,” begins the official press release from the union.
According to the GPDA, both Verstappen and Leclerc were punished too severely. “There is a difference between swearing with the intention of offending others and general swearing, which you use to describe bad weather, or indeed an object such as a Formula 1 car, or a circumstance while driving,” the statement continues.
Jewelry and Underwear
The union further demands in the statement that the FIA be transparent about where the money from the fines goes, and the FIA president also receives criticism for his strict action against the drivers. For example, Lewis Hamilton was ‘unnecessarily’ warned by the FIA several times to take off his jewelry, according to the union.
“We urge the FIA president to also consider his own tone and language when he speaks to or about our drivers, whether publicly or otherwise. Furthermore, our members are all adults. They do not need instructions via the media on unnecessary matters such as wearing jewelry and underwear,” says the GPDA.
