The FIA has implemented new guidelines that may result in F1 drivers facing points deductions or potential bans for misconduct violations, including the use of swear words.
Max Verstappen was tasked with “performing some public service work” by the end of 2024 after using profanity during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.
In response to the Formula 1 swearing controversy, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) called out FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in November, to which the FIA did not initially respond.
An updated version of the FIA’s International Sporting Code for 2025 was unveiled on Wednesday, which included details on ‘steward’s penalty guidelines’ under Appendix B.
For a first violation of misconduct regulations, an F1 driver will face a €40,000 (£34,000) fine. A second offense will result in an €80,000 (£68,000) fine and a suspended one-month suspension.
A third offense will incur a €120,000 (£102,000) fine, along with a one-month suspension and the deduction of championship points.
Similar penalties will be imposed for actions causing moral harm or loss to the FIA, its members, or promoting violence or hatred in public.
If a driver violates rules regarding making political, religious, or personal statements without approval, they will be fined, required to issue a public apology, and retract their comments.
What is the most severe punishment?
An F1 driver can also face a ban for failure to comply with FIA instructions regarding official ceremonies at a competition that counts towards an FIA Championship.
A first offense would result in a €60,000 (£50,000) fine, while a second offense would lead to a €120,000 (£101,000) fine and a suspension from accessing Reserved Areas at the next event, essentially a race ban.
A repeat violation would incur a €180,000 (£152,000) fine and a six-month race suspension.
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Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Guenther Steiner gives his opinion on Max Verstappen being given community service for swearing in a press conference
What transpired last year with Verstappen, Ben Sulayem, and FIA?
The issue of swearing gained attention after Ben Sulayem expressed his desire to minimize foul language in an interview before the Singapore GP in September. F1’s world TV feed censors such language.
His comments drew criticism from Lewis Hamilton for racial stereotyping. Ben Sulayem, who took office as FIA president in 2021, requested Formula 1 to address the issue and also stressed that drivers should be mindful of their language.
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Max Verstappen was part of an astonishing press conference following qualifying in Singapore as he refused to answer questions comprehensively after a swearing penalty
Verstappen received community service for his swearing incident during a press conference in Singapore, leading him to refrain from giving detailed responses in subsequent media interactions.
In a different instance, Charles Leclerc was fined €10,000 (£8,420) for using profanity in the post-race press conference at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Despite issuing an immediate apology, Leclerc still faced a penalty for the rule violation.
The GPDA, consisting of all F1 drivers, released a statement in November addressing various issues, including swearing, and distinguished between insulting swearing and casual swearing used in different contexts.
The statement also raised concerns about the allocation of funds from fines.
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