F1 teams discuss FIA's stringent swearing penalties

The FIA's recent crackdown on driver swearing in motorsport has sparked considerable debate among teams and drivers, following the implementation of strict penalties that could include hefty fines and race bans. The controversial guidelines, pushed by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, were recently highlighted after driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined $50,000 for swearing during a broadcast. While many drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll, have expressed dissatisfaction with the enforcement of these rules, there is a consensus that excessive policing of language during competition is impractical. Discussions within the F1 community suggest a potential softening of the rules, with teams advocating for a system that would 'bleep' offensive language on team radios instead of imposing strict penalties. Racing Bulls' CEO Peter Bayer emphasized the importance of maintaining emotional expression while managing professionalism in public statements. The situation remains fluid as stakeholders seek to find a balance between conduct and the inherent emotions of racing.