F1 drivers hit back at FIA president: Warning about 'his tone' in statement

Formula One drivers issue a joint statement

Verstappen used the word 'f***ed' during the Thursday press conference in Singapore. The Dutchman used the word to describe the performance of his Red Bull car during the previous race weekend in Baku. The FIA gave him a community service-style penalty. 

Most of the F1 drivers rallied around Verstappen and gave him support. Even Verstappen's biggest rival, Lewis Hamilton, told him not to serve the penalty and said he wouldn't do it if it was the seven-time World Champion getting punished. A few races later, Charles Leclerc also swore during a press conference. He said the word 'f**k'. Leclerc received a fine rather than a community service penalty. The stewards said his apology provided a mitigation.

GDPA Director George Russell already hinted that a letter was being drafted. It has now been posted on Instagram.

"Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every racing weekend they put on a great show for the fans," the drivers said in a joint statement. "We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants," they continued.

Read the Full GPDA statement here

"As is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the referee's decision, whether they like it or not, indeed whether they agree with it or not. That is how sport works. The Drivers (our members) are no different, and fully understand that. Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every racing weekend they put on a great show for the fans.

"With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation. We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.

"The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that Driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our Sport. For the past 3 years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA's financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent. We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the Sport. We once again request that the FIA President provides financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the Teams and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our Sport.

"The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great Sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it. We are playing our part.

"Best regards,
The Directors and Chairman of the GPDA on behalf of the Grand Prix Drivers"

 

 

 

 

 

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Een bericht dat is gedeeld door @grandprixdriversassociation

This article has been created in collaboration with Jeroen Immink