Oscar Piastri Blasts at FIA over harsh penalties for swearing during F1 races

Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri has now blasted the FIA for their hefty fine on F1 drivers for swearing over the radio during F1 races. The FIA governing body of Autosport has announced new regulations that put drivers' lives under scrutiny. Racing drivers often vent their frustration during races by swearing on the radio with unhealthy language.

But last year, the FIA president, Ben Sulayem, called for a complete stop to swearing and asked the drivers to act like professional athletes and mature people. He even took it into his own hands and announced hefty fines for drivers who swore during the race weekends. F1 drivers will be punished if they swear on and off the track.

Max Verstappen was the first driver to be punished as he swore during the Singapore Grand Prix press meeting. Verstappen called his car with an 'F' word. He was asked to do community service as punishment. Many drivers were angry regarding the FIA’s decision, and the GPDA wrote a letter to the FIA president warning him about the consequences and even asked him to treat F1 drivers as mature people. 

However, the FIA announced new regulations for drivers' conduct. This will make them vulnerable to hefty fines up to $ 200,000 and even a race ban if they swear during Grand Prix weekends. For the first time, drivers will pay $ 66,896 as a fine, but if they continue, they will be handed $ 133,791, and for the third offence, $ 200,687. 

This will be for two years, and it will get even harsher as they could even face one month suspension and deduction of championship points under the new guidelines. This is done to limit the abusive language during live broadcasts and interviews. Oscar Piastri didn’t like these penalties, as he slammed the governing body for their harsh punishments.

Oscar Piastri slams the FIA

He said, “The fines are quite harsh, so I think that is something that we would like to discuss with the FIA. They can't be expecting us to say absolutely nothing when we are in the car. We are full of adrenaline. We are first and foremost speaking to our team.” The 23-year-old Australian also points out that they are still respectful of people outside the car. Oscar added, “There is still a point to being respectful to people. Outside of the car, it's completely fair to expect us not to swear. I think that is just how society runs.” 

The Ban on swearing will be implemented from the 2025 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne between March 13 and 16. The regulations include drivers using any words, signs, writings and deeds that affect moral injury to FIA, its members, officers and its bodies. Last year, Charles Leclerc paid $ 16,700 as a penalty for swearing during the Mexican Grand Prix Press conference. 

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