Stefano Domenicali has stated that F1 will "never put a gag on anyone" amid the FIA clamping down on drivers making political statements. An updated International Sporting Code issued by the FIA in December placed a ban on the displaying of "political, religious and personal statements" by drivers, unless approved by the governing body. Some drivers have raised concerns about the ruling in recent weeks, with Valtteri Bottas amongst those to question the move while Max Verstappen has labelled the ban as "unnecessary". Formula 1 CEO Domenicali has now given his take on the situation, telling The Guardian : "F1 will never put a gag on anyone. "Everyone wants to talk so to have the platform to say what they want in the right way the better it is. We have a huge opportunity because of the position of our sport which is more and more global, multicultural and multivalued. "We are talking about 20 drivers, 10 teams and many sponsors, they have different ideas, different views. I cannot say one is right, one is wrong but it is right, if needed, to give them a platform to discuss their opinions in an open way. "We will not change that approach as a sport. That should be the line of our sport, to give everyone the chance to speak in the right way, not with aggressive tones or to offend but with respect."
Domenicali expects FIA to 'clarify' rule
Domenicali added that F1 is "monitoring the situation" and will continue to "keep the drivers informed" in discussions. He also suggested that he anticipates the FIA will "clarify" the ruling. "We are talking about a regulation and the regulator is the FIA," the Italian continued. "I believe the FIA will clarify what has been stated, in terms of respecting certain places where you cannot do it. "I am sure the FIA will share the same view as F1 but they are part of an Olympic federation so there are protocols to which they have to abide."
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