Max Verstappen has been backed by his rivals in a row with the FIA over ‘bad language.’ Following a ‘horrible’ weekend in Baku, the world champion was describing how his car felt when driving the streets of the Azerbaijan capital city. The F-bomb was dropped, but the object of Verstappen’s ire was merely his RB20.

That week, the president of the FIA had called on the F1 stewards to clamp down on swearing, likening the current ‘bad language’ in F1 to that used by rappers in songs. The stewards then appeared to make an example out of Max awarding him a headline busting ‘community service’ style punishment rather than the usual slap on the wrist fine.

The world champion retaliated by refusing to answer a number of questions in a later FIA organised press conference. He did though tell the media personnel he would hold court with them once the event had concluded.

 

 

 

The F1 drivers’ union

The Formula One drivers’ association (GPDA) was founded in May 1961 and following an election lion amongst the members, Stirling Moss became its inaugural chairman. 

Throughout the years a number of the sport’s grandees have served as directors including the current Mercedes driver George Russell together with a host of world champions including Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Damon Hill and there great Michael Schumacher.

The aim of the organisation was simple at the time as it petitioned the FIA for improved safety standards for both drivers and spectators in an era where death was an annual occurrence. While the association is not particularly militant in its unionised approach there have been some notable occasions where they have brought about change in F1.

Bizarre fashion by which Wolff learns of Hamilton departure

 

 

 

 

GPDA historic action

There was a boycott organised by the GPDA of the Circuit de Spa Francorchamps in 1969 and also the Nurburgring in 1970 and 1976 over grave safety concerns. The FIA duly acted following the drivers’ boycott. Then in 2013 following exploding tyres at the British Grand Prix, the GPDA issued a threat of a boycott at the upcoming German Grand Prix unless the matter was addressed.

The last time the GPDA issued a collective statement was in 2016 when the FIA introduced a new qualifying F1 format. The GPDA released an open letter opened by Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel and Alexander Wurz on behalf of all F1 drivers saying that the sport’s leadership was broken, calling the decision making within Formula One “obsolete” and “Ill-structured”.

Today the GPDA has once again spoken but this time it is the president of the FIA which is the focus of their fury. In an open letter, the drivers state: “There is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as an F1 car, or a driving situation.

“We urge the FIA president to consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise.

UPDATE: On McLaren tyre-gate saga

 

 

 

‘Stop treating us like children’

“Further, our members are adults. They do not need to be given instructions by the media about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery or underpants.”

As yet there has been no acknowledgment of the GPDA’ s correspondence from the FIA or their president himself. The row over ‘bad language’ emerged in the run up to the Singapore Grand Prix, when in an explosive interview Mohammed Ben Sulayem called for the F1 drivers to stop behaving like “rappers.”

This was followed up by the stewards punishing Max Verstappen for swearing in the FIA approved drivers’ press conference on the Thursday before race weekend. Following a poor outing in Baku, the world champion was describing his racing car as “f**ked.”

Max was ordered by the stewards to “accomplish some work of public interest” instead of the regular fine, which was interpreted as a new crack down coming from the interview given by Ben Sulayem. The drivers were almost unanimous in their support for Max with Lewis Hamilton alongside Verstappen in a later media event saying,“I think it’s a bit of a joke, to be honest. This is the pinnacle of the sport, mistakes are made.

“I certainly wouldn’t be doing it [serving the punishment] and I hope Max doesn’t do it.”

Truth behind Hamilton Merc early exit message

 

 

 

Swearing row unites F1 drivers

Lando Norris who was also present was succinct. “I think it’s pretty unfair, I don’t agree with any of it.” All this created a debate in the paddock about the rights and wrongs of swearing with the more sanctimonious suggesting five year olds watching should not be exposed to this kind of language.

Verstappen mockingly observed, most five year olds do not watch dull press conferences. Others suggested F1 clean up its own act as it is they who decide whether to broadcast the drivers team radio messages during the racing. Whilst on a delay and with a bleep for the ‘naughty word’ it remains obvious what the driver in fact said.

Lewis Hamilton accused Ben Sulayem of using “stereotypical” language with a “racial element” in the interview where he used rappers to make a point.

Last weekend in Brazil, Charles Leclerc was fined for swearing in Mexico City, something the drivers have been concerned over for some time. The GDPA letter’s reference to jewellery and underpants is a coded nod to Ben Sulayem’s campaign to clamp down on drivers wearing good luck charms and lucky underpants whilst driving an F1 car.

F1 steward goes public with Verstappen criticism

 

 

 

GPDA attacks FIA lack of transparency

Interestingly the GPDA then go on the attack over a matter they had raised frequently with the FIA. The drivers have for some time been unhappy about the ‘fines’ issued as a punishment from the FIA and ask for transparency over where the money in fact goes.

“The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that driver monetary fines are not appropriate for out sport. For the past three years, we have called upon the FIA president to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA’s financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent.

“We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the sport. We once again request the FIA president provides financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us.”

Why Binotto ditched Schumacher

 

 

 

Ben Sulayem one eye on re-election

The drivers are demanding a say in where the money from any fines is allocated stating this should be a joint decision between “all stakeholders” including the FIA, Liberty Media, the teams and the GPDA.

The letter states that the drivers hope for a collaborative and constructive process to “promote our great sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it and indeed loves it”.

The fact the F1 drivers have not issued such a joint statement since 2016 should in fact make it obvious, the weight of intent here is significant. Something will now haver to change as the drivers refuse to be treated like naughty school children going forward.

Further the criticism that the FIA is not policing the sport properly will sting as Ben Sulayem prepares for re-election next year.

Horner announces Red Bull Perez decision

 

 

 

Hamilton has his say on Bottas future

Valtteri Bottas was Lewis Hamilton’s wing man for five years having joined the Mercedes team a short notice following Nico Rosberg’s surprise retirement. Rosberg had battled all year long with his team mate in 2016, finally claiming his maiden F1 drivers’ title.

The arrival of the Finn to Brackley in 2017 saw peace break out across both sides of a previously fractious garage. Bottas went on to claim ten Grand Prix victories during his Mercedes’ years, more than any other driver currently on the grid bar the three world champions.

Valtteri proved the perfect foil for Hamilton, not quick enough to beat him when Lewis was having a good weekend, but there to pick up the pieces for Mercedes when Hamilton had mechanical issues or a DNF. Not having a driver with the consistency of Bottas has proven to be Red Bull’s downfall this year in the constructors’ championship… READ MORE