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FIA Considers Revisions to Appendix B on Inappropriate Language in Motorsport
The FIA is exploring potential enhancements to the contentious Appendix B of the International Sporting Code, which outlines penalties for drivers using inappropriate language.
This move comes after a clampdown aimed at regulating swearing and other forms of inappropriate communication during events, with fines and possible bans established for offenders.
Adrien Fourmaux, a driver in the World Rally Championship representing Hyundai, became the first to face these regulations. At the conclusion of Rally Sweden in February, he was fined €10,000 for swearing during a televised interview, alongside a suspended fine of €20,000.
In response to this situation, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem affirmed that improvements to Appendix B are being contemplated, taking into account feedback from drivers engaged in various FIA-sanctioned world championships.
This announcement follows recent clarifications issued to Formula 1 drivers, indicating that spontaneous language used in the heat of the moment would not incur penalties.
Additionally, in the World Rally Championship, drivers reached an understanding with the FIA that permits relaxed regulations concerning spontaneous expressions during stage-end interviews and team radio communications. This ruling, differentiating between “controlled” and “uncontrolled” zones for inappropriate language, was implemented at the recent Rally Islas Canarias.
The agreement emerged after WRC drivers expressed their need for changes, often opting to remain silent or communicate solely in their native languages during stage-end interviews at the Safari Rally.
Ben Sulayem noted on social media, “Following constructive feedback from drivers across our seven FIA World Championships, I am considering making improvements to Appendix B. As a former rally driver, I understand the pressures they navigate better than most.”
He emphasized that “Appendix B is a key part of the International Sporting Code and is vital for ensuring the sport remains accessible to everyone within our community.”
Ben Sulayem further stated, “Humans design the rules, and humans have the capacity to refine them. This ongoing improvement ethos is fundamental to our mission at the FIA.”
As discussions progress, the impact of these potential changes on motorsport culture and driver communication practices will continue to be observed. The goal remains to strike a balance between maintaining professionalism and allowing for genuine emotional expression in competitive settings.
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www.motorsport.com