FIA president ponders ‘improvements' to swearing rules
Competitors in rallying and Formula One have been at loggerheads with the Emirati, who will be up for re-election at the end of the year, over a crackdown on bad language during events.
World championship rally drivers, who had openly condemned the fines, made a breakthrough last week when they reached a compromise to divide events into a controlled zone and an uncontrolled one.
"After constructive feedback from drivers across our seven FIA world championships, I am considering making improvements to appendix B," Ben Sulayem said on his Instagram account.
"As a former rally driver, I understand the demands they face better than most."
Ben Sulayem said appendix B, which was amended in January with tougher penalties, was a key part of the International Sporting Code but "humans make the rules and humans can improve the rules".
Further details were expected later in the week, with Formula One racing in Miami.
Appendix B covers stewards' penalty guidelines, setting out punishments for misconduct including words, deeds or writings that might have caused moral injury to the FIA or motorsport in general.
A first offence in Formula One incurs a €40,000 (R845,146) fine, rising to €80,000 (R1,690,253) for the second and €120,000 (R2,535,380) with a one-month suspension and deduction of championship points for a third breach.
Stewards "retain the discretion to take into account any mitigating and/or aggravating circumstances as well as the nature and location of the event, to tailor the penalty to the specific situation".
That has been seen in Formula One when Williams driver Carlos Sainz escaped sanction for an expression used in a press conference this month.
Estonian rally driver Ott Tanak, world champion in 2019, said at the weekend there had been very positive progress with the FIA.
Formula One world champion Max Verstappen, who had to do work of public interest last year for swearing, bit his lip in response to what he thought was an unfair punishment during this month's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
Somebody just blew R458m on a Ferrari Daytona SP3
For the first time, Ferrari has applied a full-length logotype across the upper body, also in Giallo Modena. The cabin continues the bespoke theme with an innovative fabric made from recycled tyres, decorated with Prancing Horse motifs. The dashboard and steering column are crafted from the same lightweight carbon fibre used in Formula One, underscoring the car's racing DNA. At its heart is a 6.5 l naturally aspirated V12 producing 618kW and 697Nm of torque. The car is designated '599+1', signifying it as an extra addition to the sold-out 599-unit Daytona SP3 production run. A bespoke plaque confirms its unique status. All proceeds from the sale will go to The Ferrari Foundation in support of educational initiatives. Recent projects include a partnership with Save the Children to help rebuild the Aveson Charter School in Altadena, California, after it was destroyed by the Eaton wildfire earlier this year.
eNCA
2 days ago
- eNCA
Can SA's two transport giants share the road without blood spills
JOHANNESBURG - The murder of 27-year-old e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelase in Soweto has once again highlighted the tension between South Africa's taxi industry and e-hailing services. Mvelase, who had just started in the new job, was shot outside Maponya Mall before his car was set alight, with him inside. This prompted protests, with many calling for taxi operations to be halted in Pimville. While his killing is being investigated, it has now raised a broader question: can e-hailing services and taxis co-exist in South Africa's transport system? Supplied Supplied Taxis's are the backbone of public transport For many South Africans, taxis remain the lifeline to work, schools, malls and government offices. From going to Home Affairs, to collecting SASSA grants and trips to the clinic. Theo Malele, spokesperson of the National Taxi Alliance cautions against stopping taxis from operating, saying ' it will create serious challenges for commuters.' Malele adds that while coexistence with e-hailing services is necessary, the industry faces problems of its own. 'E-hailing services are fragmented. There is a power struggle within the industry, and they need to sort themselves out,' he argues. Malele suggests that stronger regulation and law enforcement could create stability. "Currently they can travel anywhere and any how while taxi's are confined to a specific geographic network which is where they have to operate should they go beyond they would have transgressed. This needs to be addressed.' E-Hailing drivers daily struggle The e-hailing association has admitted to facing their own obstacles. Chairperson of the Western Cape e-hailing association Siyabonga Hlabisa, says taxi marshals restrict them from working in certain areas, while sometimes taxi drivers impound cars and charge fines of up to R1,000 for their release. He argues that taxi associations believe they rule the industry and this needs to be addressed. He says they do not view taxi operations as a treat nor should they be viewed as such as both operate in their own way. Overall these tensions are more than just a business dispute, they affect everyday commuters. Social media claims that the South African National Taxi Council has ordered motorists not to carry more than one passenger in private cars, but the council has denied this.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Piastri gets his own grandstand for 2026 Australian Grand Prix
Formula One leader Oscar Piastri will have a grandstand named after him at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix next year, by which time the McLaren driver could be returning home as world champion. The Melbourne-born 24-year-old, who has not made the Albert Park podium in three attempts, leads British teammate Lando Norris by nine points after 14 of the season's 24 rounds. Piastri has already won more races in a season than any other Australian driver since the world championship started in 1950, with six so far this year, with three second places. 'It feels surreal and I never thought this would happen, but the support is incredible and I can't wait to see it come together next March,' he said in an Australian Grand Prix statement. The stand will be on the main straight, opposite the pit lane, with the existing Fangio grandstand expanded and sectioned in two. Champions Jack Brabham and Alan Jones, with retired F1 drivers Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo, also have stands named after them.
