FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has said that he is considering a pivot on the organisation’s stance on driver misconduct, which has come under criticism from drivers in both Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship.
The sport’s governing body made changes to its International Sporting Code last year, condemning F1 and the WRC drivers to fines for bad language.
Max Verstappen was infamously the first recipient of such a penalty, being given a community service punishment for swearing at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The incident sparked a long-running contentious back-and-forth between Ben Sulayem and F1 drivers, who, via the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, wrote a public rebuke of the ruling.
Drivers in the WRC formed a similar union and issued a similar statement after Adrien Fourmaux was fined for an identical incident after the Rally Sweden earlier this year.
In a social media statement, Ben Sulayem has intimated that there could be a potential change in the ruling after both championships’ feedback on the matter.
“Following constructive feedback from drivers across our seven FIA world championships, I am considering making improvements to Appendix B,” he said.
“As a former rally driver, I understand the demands they face better than most.”
Ben Sulayem insisted the ruling is necessary but seems prepared to make adjustments to it, adding: “Appendix B is a key part of the International Sporting Code and is central in helping keep the sport accessible for all our sporting family.
“By listening to one another and working collaboratively, we continue to drive a positive future for the sport we all care so deeply about.”
Verstappen again at centre of FIA controversy
Verstappen was once again the primary figure in criticising the new rulings on what drivers can and can’t say, after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this month.
The Dutchman finished second behind Oscar Piastri, after receiving a five-second time penalty for taking to the run-off area at Turn 1 with the Australian tussling with him for the lead.
Video footage posted on social media by a fan after the race shows Ben Sulayem making a beeline to Verstappen immediately after he exited his Red Bull before the podium ceremony.
In the post-race press conference, an unhappy Verstappen was tight-lipped, saying: “It’s honestly just how everything is becoming. Everyone is super-sensitive about everything.
“And what we have currently, we cannot be critical anyway. So less talking [is] even better for me.”
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