The Grand Prix Drivers' Association, which brings together all current F1 drivers, sent a statement to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to express their concerns. The pilots highlighted several points, including a request for reassessment of recent sanctions imposed for offensive remarks, after criticism from Ben Sulayem. Max Verstappen, for example, was given a sentence similar to community service for swearing at the press conference in Singapore. Charles Leclerc, for his part, was fined 10,000 euros, including 5,000 euros suspended for one year, for similar remarks at a press conference in Mexico.
The GPDA also urged the FIA president to review his way of communicating, recalling that drivers are “adults” and do not need advice on “trivial” matters. Additionally, the letter includes a request for transparency regarding the use of funds from fines imposed on drivers and teams. All of these topics were discussed at a recent pilots' meeting in Mexico, which resulted in this statement to express their concerns.
Read also: Charles Leclerc received a heavy fine after the bad word pronounced in Mexico
GPDA full statement
As is the case in all sports, participants must abide by the referee's decision, whether they like it or not, whether they agree with it or not. This is how sport works. Pilots (our members) are no different and understand this perfectly.
Our members are professional drivers who race in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every race weekend they put on a great show for the fans.
When it comes to swear words, there is a difference between swear words intended to insult others and more casual swear words, such as those you might use to describe bad weather, or even an inanimate object such as a car. Formula 1, or a driving situation.
We urge the FIA President to consider his own tone and language when addressing or speaking about our member drivers, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Additionally, our members are adults, they do not need to be instructed through the media on such trivial matters as wearing jewelry or underwear.
The GPDA has, on numerous occasions, expressed its opinion that fines imposed by drivers are not appropriate for our sport. Over the past three years, we have asked the FIA President to share details and strategy regarding how FIA financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent. We also raised concerns about the negative image that financial fines give to our sport. We once again call on the FIA President to unveil financial transparency and engage in direct and open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (the FIA, F1, the teams and the GPDA) should determine together how and where money is spent for the benefit of our sport.
The GPDA wishes to work constructively with all stakeholders, including the FIA President, to promote our great sport for the benefit of all those who work in it, pay for it, watch it and love it. We play our role.
Read also: Verstappen finds it “bizarre” that Leclerc was not penalized in Mexico
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