Do the Formula 1 stars get a muzzle?

« There was the start, the first curve and suddenly we were already in the 50th round. The problem is that I cannot say my opinion without risking, » was Max Verstappen’s short explanation of the events in the first curve at the past Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia. The reigning world champion had clashed with Oscar Piatri and was punished for it.

In the previous year he had acted a punishment for « rapid behavior ». His appearance this time was not only a defiance of a defense reaction, in his opinion unjustified punishment in the race, but also a kind of self -protection. For a few weeks now, the FIA ​​has attracted the set screws.

New guidelines can cause drivers to be fined due to curse or other violations of the sports code with fines or points deductions. Misconduct was defined as « the general use of language (in writing or oral), gestures or signs that are offensive, insulting, gross, rude or abusive ».

In general, the tightening of the rules that apply via the WRC and WEC up to regional Formula 4 was welcomed. However, many indicate the difference between an official explanation and emotional statements in the cockpit. « For Formula 1 it is good that you can hear the radio traffic from the car. We have been prepared from the outset and are very limited anyway, which we can say about our team and our situation, » explains Williams driver Carlos Sainz.

For him, the passion that can be heard on the radio is « an integral part of Formula 1, even if there are occasionally there are curses ». The controversial Fia President Mohammed bin Sulayem, formerly a rally pilot, does not like to hear such radio sayings. Expressions are drowned out anyway.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff follows another approach. The 53-year-old indicates the different perception of language. « I believe that, in particular, non-mother speakers often do not understand how serious or nuanced certain words can be. If we stop some of the bad curses, that’s positive. »

Pilot has to dig deep into the pocket

WRC pilot Adrien Fourmaux had to learn that an actually harmless and self-critical finding in the mother tongue can be translated into unwanted statements in the mother tongue into unwanted statements with unexpected consequences. « We screwed it up ourselves, » said the French Hyundai driver after a mistake at the Rallye Sweden. The translation into English was interpreted by the FIA ​​as an curse and punished with a fine of 10,000 euros.

After a successful protest, it was achieved that such statements in the WRC will in future be allowed in clearly defined zones. In other racing series, the FIA ​​also wants to be ready to compromise and open to adjustments.

Nevertheless, a customary tone is the goal. « We are not rappers who use the F-word a few times a minute. We should pay more attention to our language, » argued Bin Sulayem, whose idiosyncratic measures are called a muzzle.

A remark that Lewis Hamilton disturbed and that could come to the fore this weekend in one of the hottest races. Because at the Miami Grand Prix (starting on Sunday at 10 p.m.), musicians are also guests, whose texts certainly do not like the FIA ​​President.