WRC drivers approve FIA decision to soften swearing penalties

World Rally Championship drivers have declared the FIA - world motorsport governing body’s - decision to revise its sanctions for swearing as a “positive step” forward.

The FIA issued a clampdown on drivers swearing and using inappropriate language during world championship events, with fines and potential bans listed among the sanctions for those breaching regulations.

The decision was met by widespread disapproval from drivers. The changes to Appendix B of the FIA’s International Sporting Code created headlines when Hyundai WRC driver Adrien Fourmaux was the first to fall foul of the regulations. It resulted in a €10,000 fine and a further suspended €20,000 fine for swearing at Rally Sweden in February.

WRC drivers urged the FIA to make changes to the rules forming the World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) in the process, before electing to remain silent or speak in their mother tongue in stage end interviews at Safari Rally Kenya in March.

An agreement was reached between WoRDA and the FIA for comments made in the heat of the moment in stage en interviews to go unpunished. The FIA has this week confirmed that it has made formal changes to the regulations. The base fine for any misconduct infringements has been reduced from €10,000 to €5,000, while inappropriate language used in the heat of the moment all remain unpunished.

“As a former rally driver, I know firsthand the range of emotions that are faced during competition,” said FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

"I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA world championships, FIA member clubs and other motor sports organisations.

"The improvements the FIA has announced today to Appendix B will ensure we continue to promote the best of sportsmanship in motor sport, while also giving stewards effective guidelines to act against individuals who may bring the sport into disrepute.

"The FIA will always be committed to ensuring motor sport is accessible for all our sporting family.”

The decision has been met positively by WRC drivers at this weekend’s Rally Portugal.

“I haven’t read exactly what changes there but it looks like there is some move that is positive and for once all the effort we have done has probably paid off as well,” said eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier.

“I'm not sure if it is only thanks to WoRDA, but I’m sure WoRDA contributed to that. That’s positive.”

Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, added: "It is positive. Basically Julien Ingrassia (WoRDA spokesman’s) did the big job and it is great to see they [FIA] approved what he prepared. It is one good positive step."

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