Formula 1 drivers will need to watch their language when they are carrying out official duties this season, after the FIA issued strict fines that would be imposed if any are caught swearing.
The fines are part of a raft of changes to the International Sporting Code, which is used across all FIA championships as a general code of conduct for competitors.
Under the new FIA rules relating to misconduct, drivers can now be fined up to £101,000, a one-month suspension, and a points deduction for repeated instances of swearing.
A driver has already fallen foul of the rule in WRC, after Adrien Fourmaux was recently fined €10,000 (£8,000) for swearing in WRC when speaking to broadcasters post-stage. Charles Leclerc was handed a similar fine for swearing in a press conference at last year’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
Formula E driver Dan Ticktum could be heard swearing 10 times over team radio after the race in Saudi Arabia over the weekend, however, he was not investigated due to the discrepancy over language on team radio.
When asked about the new fines on the Fast and the Curious podcast, Lance Stroll gave his thoughts on the matter.
Lance Stroll says new FIA swearing rules will be ‘challenging’ to handle
The FIA has been keen to stamp out language used by competitors as there is a link between what they say and abuse from individuals directed towards officials online.
During the F1 75 event, renowned sweary chef Gordon Ramsay was asked his thoughts on the new rules and explained that the drivers are in a pressurised environment which will lend itself to that kind of language.
Stroll has let slip a few choice words over the team radio before over his 166 races, and has explained that it would be difficult to hold back in the heat of the moment.
“It’s going to be challenging in the heat of the moment to just keep it in check,” said Stroll.
Teams discussed the new swearing ban at recent F1 Commission
F1 teams came together for the latest F1 Commission summit ahead of the new season to discuss a variety of topics, one of which was swearing.
According to Racing Bulls Chief Executive Peter Bayer, the teams agreed that they want to be “keeping the emotions alive” by allowing drivers a free pass with their language over team radio.
Sergio Perez was previously penalised for comments directed towards a steward after he was handed a penalty during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen was also handed community service last year for swearing in a FIA Press Conference, having made his feelings clear on whether he would pay any fine.
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