FORMULA ONE drivers could be facing a season full of heavy fines and even suspensions following the release of the 2025 FIA Sporting Code.
Ahead of the new F1 season the motorsport’s governing body, FIA, has released its latest International Sporting Code (ISC).
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Max Verstappen led driver protests against an overzealous decision to fine him for swearing in a press conference, while previous incidents have seen them frown upon the wearing of jewellery.
This incensed his fellow drivers and soon led to the Grand Prix Drivers Association releasing a statement calling for the use of monetary fines to be scrapped.
The GDPA also called on FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem to be transparent about where the fines are allocated.
However, the latest ISC appears to have doubled down on that stance and will now grant the FIA the power to fine, suspend and take championship points from drivers.
The penalties outlined in Appendix B, previously the “code for good conduct”, outline five areas which would lead to driver sanctions.
The first of these in subsection f outlines “causing moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or executive officers”, including “any words deeds or swearing”.
Strike one for this will land the offending driver a €10,000 (£8.5k) fine, followed by a €20,000 (£16.9k) and suspended one-month ban for strike two, with strike three then being a €30,000 (£25.4k) fine, one-month suspension and deduction of Championship points.
However, it is noted this can be increased depending on the level of competition, with a specific tier reserved for F1 where the fines are increased by four times the standard amount.
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That means a three-time offender of swearing will be hit with a €120,000 (£101.5k) fine, a one-month ban and an unspecified number of their championship points.
Subsections i and n follow the same punishments for “any misconduct” under Article 20 and public incitement of hate.
In section i “misconduct” is defined as “to be understood in particular but not limited to: the general use of language (written or verbal), gesture and/or sign that is offensive, insulting, coarse, rude or abusive and might reasonably be expected or be perceived to be coarse or rude or to cause offence, humiliation or to be inappropriate.”
This also covers, “assaulting (elbowing, kicking, punching, hitting, etc.); and incitement to do any of the above”.
But subsection o covers the making of personal and religious statements “in violation of the neutrality promoted by the FIA”.
The same monetary punishment is once again handed out for offences one through three, but this time with an added need for a public apology and repudiation of their comments.
These new rules are not likely to go down well with drivers who were already disgruntled about the issue at the back end of last season.
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