The President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has said Formula 1 drivers who “incite abuse” of race officials will be penalised.
Ben Sulayem has beseeched stewards present at Grands Prix to take a tough stance on drivers who make negative comments about them, which they believe incur hateful remarks online from fans.
The President has confirmed that the FIA has sanctioned a change to the “misconduct” sub-section of the International Sporting Code, having found through research in conjunction with the United Against Online Abuse lobby, that drivers who criticise race officials, whether it be in post-race interviews or during the race on their team radio, cause influence with those watching the race, leading to online abuse.
“As part of our ongoing fight against online abuse, recent investigations have shown that there is a direct link between negative comments from drivers and team members and increased hate directed towards officials on social media,” said Ben Sulayem.
“At the last World Motor Sport Council, members approved a change to the definition of misconduct within the ISC following incidents in which high profile members of our sport have made statements towards officials that incite abuse.
“This change will ensure further support for the FIA officials and volunteers who dedicate their time to improving our sport, keeping it safe and fair.
“Our stewards must be prepared to show strength when combatting this form of abuse, and they have my full support, and the support of our International Sporting Code, when making their decisions.
“I urge them to show that the FIA will not allow abuse of any kind within our sport.”
This comes after a number of incidents in which drivers have not been shy in offering an opinion on stewards or even Marshalls, as well as other drivers.
RB’s Yuki Tsunoda was recently fined €40,000 – half of it suspended until the season’s end – for what the FIA described as “inappropriate comments”.
The Japanese driver commented: “These guys are f***ing retarded” after Sauber’s Guanyu Zhou appeared to jump ahead of a queue of other cars in the pit lane.
The comments were deemed “offensive and inappropriate” and a breach of Article 12.2.1.k.
