The Grand Prix Drivers' Association, which consists of all the current F1 drivers, have released a statement addressed to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The drivers have highlighted a number of issues within the statement, including scrutiny around the recent penalties for swearing after criticism from Ben Sulayem. Max Verstappen received a punishment akin to community service for swearing during the Thursday media press conference in Singapore. Charles Leclerc was then handed a €10,000 fine - €5,000 of which is suspended for 12 months - after swearing during a Mexico press conference. The GPDA also signalled the FIA president to review how he delivers his messages and reminded him that the drivers are “adults” and don't require advice on “trivial” subject. The letter also includes a call for transparency over where the money for the fines imposed on drivers and teams ends up. All of the topics were discussed at a recent meeting between drivers in Mexico, who have now published a statement addressing their concerns.
GPDA statement in full
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.
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