FIA president dealt 'going into war' message after swearing rules update

Dan Ticktum has compared the "flight or fight" experience drivers go through to "going into war", in a positive response to potential changes to the current rules against swearing.

Ticktum has reacted to the news that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will consider making changes to the stricter swearing rules introduced at the start of this year. 

The FIA president announced earlier this week that making changes to Appendix B of the International Sporting Code was on the table, following feedback from drivers.

Ticktum, a former Red Bull junior with a reputation of not hiding his true emotions, created one of the first major discussions on the new swearing rules earlier this year, when he swore multiple times on the radio in Jeddah. 

Soon after, it was confirmed that the swearing rules only applied to FIA-governed media sessions and broadcasted interviews – not team radio. 

However, the stricter swearing rules which involve a minimum fine of €10,000 for a first offence and a potential race ban for multiple offences, has still received considerable frustration from drivers. 

Ticktum, who races for Cupra Kiro in Formula E, is pleased to hear that Ben Sulayem is considering changes based on the demands of a racing driver. 

"I hadn't heard about the fact that he's considering changing [the rules], that's very positive," Ticktum told RacingNews365 during an interview. 

"I don't want to talk too negatively about it, because I'm not allowed to say anything bad about the FIA or their decisions. So I can't say anything. But, look, I think it's very obvious, the reaction from the drivers and reactions from the general public says all that needs to be said. 

"We're fighters when we're in the car, there's all sorts of adrenaline that most people wouldn't understand. Some people do, but most people wouldn't. Footballers are swearing, it's just heat of the moment. We're in a battle. 

"Imagine people going into war, it's not the same thing, but like, it's the fight or flight, the adrenaline, it's all that kind of stuff. You say things you don't mean, and I think to be penalised for that, and also, if you disagree with a decision that's been made against you. 

"Okay, yeah, you can't be too slanderous, but you should be allowed to be able to disagree with something, but you just need to do it in the right way. That I appreciate and understand. So, yeah, I think there's a balance."