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In a letter signed by the members of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), they denounce the president of the FIA, Mohamed Ben Sulayem, in relation to what he publicly accuses them of, while they demand to know where the money from the fines imposed on them is spent.
Formula 1 drivers who are active members of the GPDA have hit back following recent comments by Mohamed Ben Sulayem that they should be careful about the language they use in their official interviews.
At the same time, the drivers’ letter goes back to an earlier FIA “directive” regarding their clothing and jewelry worn in races, while also opening up the issue of transparency regarding the money they pay in various fines imposed on them
All of this comes after Max Verstappen was given “community service” and most recently Charles Leclerc was fined €5,000 for using the word “F***” in official FIA press conferences.
The letter states, among other things, that Ben Shulahem himself must “to also consider his own tone and language when speaking to our member guides, or for them, in public discourse” as well as that ” our members are adults and do not need to be instructed by the media on matters as trivial as wearing jewelry and underwear.”
Regarding the issue of fines, the placement of the drivers with this letter follows the FIA’s decision to increase the maximum fine that can be imposed on a driver to 1 million euros.
In particular, the GPDA letter addressed to FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem states:
“As in any sport, competitors must abide by the referee’s decision, whether they like it or not, whether they agree with it or not. That’s how sports work. Drivers (our members) are no exception and fully understand this.
Our members are professional drivers who compete in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every race weekend they put on a spectacular show for the fans.
When it comes to using profanity, there is a difference between profanity intended to offend others and more informal use, such as when describing bad weather or an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car or a racing situation.
We urge the FIA president to also consider his own tone and language when speaking to or about our driver-members, whether in public or otherwise. Furthermore, our members are adults and do not need to be instructed by the media on matters as trivial as wearing jewelry and underwear.
The GPDA has repeatedly expressed the view that fining drivers is not appropriate for our sport. For the past three years, we have asked the FIA president to share the details and strategy on where fines are allocated and how they are used.
We have also expressed our concerns about the negative image they bring to the sport. We again ask the FIA president to provide financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All concerned (FIA, F1the groups and the GPDA) should jointly decide how and where the money is spent for the good of our sport.
THE GPDA wishes to work constructively with all involved, including the FIA President, to promote our great sport for the benefit of all who work in, support, watch and love it. We are actively involved.
Sincerely,
GPDA Directors and President on behalf of Formula 1 drivers
*RacingUnited for our safety, our sport, our fans.”
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