Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and the GPDA urge FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to reconsider his approach towards driver conduct and punishment.

Formula 1 drivers, led by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), have issued an open letter demanding to be treated as adults and to be given more respect by the sport’s governing body, the FIA. This comes after controversial punishments were handed to Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for using swear words during media sessions. The drivers expressed their dissatisfaction with both the FIA’s approach to such issues and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s tone and language in addressing them.

The drivers’ main grievance is the distinction between swearing intended to insult others and the more casual swearing used by drivers to express frustration with inanimate objects or situations. Verstappen’s comments at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he used a swear word to describe his car, led to a penalty requiring him to perform “work of public interest.” Leclerc was fined for similar language used in a post-race interview in Mexico, which added fuel to the fire.

In the open letter, the GPDA stated that drivers are adults and do not need to be micromanaged over trivial matters like swearing or wearing jewellery. The letter also referenced earlier controversies surrounding Ben Sulayem’s enforcement of regulations on underwear and jewellery, which had already sparked frustration among the drivers.

The GPDA also criticized the FIA’s use of monetary fines as punishment, urging for transparency regarding how the fines are allocated and spent. They expressed concern that these financial penalties give F1 a negative image and detract from the sport’s appeal.

The letter’s call for financial transparency was a key point, as the GPDA has repeatedly asked Ben Sulayem to provide clarity on the allocation of these fines. They also demanded a more open dialogue with the FIA to improve the sport’s governance and ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of all stakeholders, including the drivers, teams, and fans.

The drivers’ dissatisfaction with the FIA is further evident in the fact that this is their first collective public statement since 2017 when they sought reforms to the decision-making processes in F1. Their frustration is a clear sign of their desire to be treated with respect and to have more say in how the sport is run