Farewell to the “swearing ban”

FIA signals willingness to relax controversial ‘swearing ban’ as pressure mounts where growing dissent forces reconsideration of language restrictions – The world of international motorsport could soon see a major shift in the way driver behaviour is regulated. FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem has openly confirmed that revisions to the controversial language rule contained in Appendix B of the International Sporting Code (ISC) are under active consideration.

After months of sustained pressure from drivers across a number of disciplines, bin Sulayem has indicated that a compromise could be close, potentially bringing an end to what has been widely referred to as the “swearing ban”.

The rule, introduced at the start of the 2025 season, aimed to control language at official events and sparked fierce debate and widespread unrest within the motorsport community. Now there are signs that a more lenient and realistic interpretation of the rule is on the horizon.

 

Introduction of strict language rules  causes tension

When the FIA unveiled a tougher stance on language at the start of 2025, few anticipated the extent of the backlash it would provoke. The amended Appendix B stipulated that drivers could face penalties – including hefty fines and even suspension from events – for using profanity or inappropriate language in public settings such as interviews, press conferences and team communications during race weekends.

The immediate effects were felt across all of the FIA’s major championships, but it was a controversial incident at the World Rally Championship’s Rally Sweden that really ignited the firestorm. French rally driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 after using an expletive during a live television interview after a gruelling special stage.

In addition to the fine, Fourmaux also received a €20,000 penalty, which will be triggered by any future offence.

 

Questions asked about disproportionate punishment

The severity of Fourmaux’s punishment struck a nerve within the motorsport world, with drivers and fans alike questioning whether the rule was disproportionately harsh. Figures from Formula 1, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), Formula E and other major series were quick to express their solidarity, arguing that the intense nature of competitive motorsport inevitably leads to emotional, unscripted reactions.

As discontent grew, drivers began to organise more coordinated responses. The most striking protest took place during the Safari Rally in Kenya, where WRC competitors staged a silent boycott. In a calculated move, many refused to speak to the media, while others chose to give interviews only in their native language, effectively circumventing the rule and making their responses inaccessible to an international audience.

 

 FIA publicly acknowledges concerns

The protest attracted significant media attention, forcing the FIA leadership to confront the depth of discontent. Aware of the growing storm, bin Sulayem took to social media to acknowledge the concerns being raised. In a remarkable post, he stated:

“Following constructive feedback from drivers across our seven world championships, I am reviewing improvements to Appendix B. As a former rally driver, I understand the pressures they face better than many”.

His words marked a clear change in tone from the governing body and signalled that the door to reform had been opened.

Even before bin Sulayem’s public commitment to reviewing the language rules, some championships had already begun to make unofficial adjustments. In Formula One, enforcement of the rule was quietly relaxed, with stewards showing greater tolerance of emotional outbursts over the team radio or in immediate post-race interviews in the Parc Ferme.

 

Rally driver protests forces change

Similar changes have been seen in the WRC as a result of driver protests.

During the Canary Islands Rally, for example, the FIA introduced a system that distinguished between “controlled” and “uncontrolled” zones. Interviews immediately after a stage or live radio communication during an event were reclassified as uncontrolled zones, where spontaneous expressions of emotion would not be subject to strict sanctions.

This practical development demonstrated an understanding that in the heat of competition, where adrenaline is high and emotions are raw, complete control of language is neither realistic nor desirable. Rather than take away the authenticity that draws fans to motorsport, the FIA seemed to be slowly moving towards a more balanced approach.

 

A philosophy of continuous improvement

Throughout his statement, bin Sulayem emphasised that while Appendix B remains an important part of the FIA’s code of conduct, no rule should be seen as immutable.

“Appendix B is a central part of the International Sporting Code and helps to keep our sport accessible to all members of the motorsport family,” he wrote. “People make the rules and people can improve the rules. This principle of continuous improvement has always been part of my belief and is at the heart of our work at the FIA.

This message underlined an important shift in governance philosophy. Far from seeing adjustments as a sign of weakness, bin Sulayem presented them as evidence of a living, evolving regulatory framework. His acknowledgement of his own past as a rally driver lent personal credibility to the process, portraying the FIA not as an unyielding bureaucracy, but as a responsive body committed to preserving the spirit of the sport.

 

Past conflicts foreshadow bin Sulayem’s approach

This is not the first time bin Sulayem has been at odds with the drivers since taking over as FIA president. Earlier in his tenure, he faced considerable backlash after tightening the rules on piercings for F1 drivers, citing safety concerns. This controversy, too, ended in a compromise after a lengthy negotiation process involving drivers, teams and FIA representatives.

The resolution of the piercing controversy laid important groundwork for the current moment. It revealed an evolving pattern in bin Sulayem’s leadership: an initial commitment to principle, followed by a willingness to adapt when faced with organised, credible pushback from the drivers who breathe life into the sport.

 

What the future holds

While an official amendment to Appendix B has yet to be finalised, there is a growing consensus that a new version of the rule will be introduced in the near future. Sources suggest that the FIA could unveil revisions before the summer break in key championships such as the WRC and Formula 1.

The anticipated update is expected to maintain a basic standard of decorum for formal occasions – such as podium ceremonies, official press conferences and awards ceremonies – while allowing for greater spontaneity and emotional honesty in moments of peak competition.

This dual-track approach would recognise the multifaceted nature of modern motorsport: a world where drivers are not only athletes but also entertainers, where human emotion is as much a part of the spectacle as technical excellence.

So far, the reaction in the paddocks has been cautiously optimistic. Drivers appreciate that their voices have been heard, while many in the wider motorsport community see the anticipated changes as essential to maintaining the authenticity and emotional power that makes motorsport so compelling to millions of fans worldwide.

An opportunity for renewed trust As the FIA moves forward, ongoing dialogue between drivers, teams and governing bodies will be crucial to maintaining the health of the sport. Motorsport has always thrived on a delicate balance between regulation and freedom, between order and passion.

 

Current swearing ban a thing of the past

If the FIA can deliver meaningful, well-considered revisions to Appendix B, it could mark a turning point in its relationship with its athletes. A successful compromise would not only defuse a major controversy, but also demonstrate that the FIA is capable of evolving with the sport it governs.

In a world where the pressures of competition are more intense than ever and public scrutiny is relentless, allowing drivers the space to be human – mistakes, frustrations and all – will be vital to keeping motorsport relevant and relatable in the years to come.

For now, the hope remains that the swearing ban, in its most rigid form, will soon be a thing of the past, replaced by a regulatory environment that respects both the spirit of competition and the humanity of those who live it. The next few months will show whether the FIA’s promises of improvement become reality, but the signs of change are finally impossible to ignore.