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FIA open talks with WRC drivers after Safari Rally protest
The FIA, the world motorsport governing body, will open dialogue with World Rally Championships drivers following their protest at Safari Rally Kenya against sanctions for using “inappropriate language”.
WRC drivers have strongly opposed the FIA’s new clampdown on language used in television interviews after Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 for swearing in an interview at Rally Sweden last month.
In response to the situation, the drivers deemed “unacceptable”, it was agreed that they would remain silent or speak in only their mother tongue during stage end television interviews at this weekend’s Safari Rally Kenya.
This stance was carried out during Wednesday’s shakedown stage that marks the start of what is regarded as the championships’s toughest event.
The FIA as now issued a response following the protest made by the drivers during shakedown stating that “unnecessary profanity will not be condoned”, before confirming it will open dialogue with the drivers on the matter after this weekend’s rally.
An FIA spokesperson said: “The FIA, as with many other international sports governing bodies, maintains a code of conduct that sets out what we expect from drivers and their teams. Drivers are looked up to as role models by young fans and are ambassadors for motorsport across the world.
"How drivers act at events really matters.
“The code’s purpose is to promote the best in sportsmanship and respect, this includes expectations around language which could be seen as offensive or inappropriate by the public.
“The rules and penalties are in line with those taken by our peer organisations in global sports championships.
“We recognise that it is crucial to assess situations on a case-by-case basis, but unnecessary profanity should not be condoned and does little to help promote and grow the sport with fans, sponsors, and partners.
“In line with a similar meeting held with Formula 1 drivers in Melbourne last weekend, Ronan Morgan, President of the Drivers Committee along with Petter Solberg, Vice President of the Committee and Emilia Abel, Junior Road Sport Director are planning to discuss this matter and other topics with drivers after the Safari Rally Kenya.”
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