‘F1 is not a political sport’

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From Emil Selleck

February 9, 2023 | 10:11 a.m

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner backed the FIA’s ban on political expression, saying Formula 1 is “a form of escape from what’s happening in the world”.

The longtime team boss told The Post he doesn’t believe F1 should be used as a platform “for political gain” after the sport’s governing body announced it would ban drivers from making political statements during race weekends.

“F1 is not a political sport and should not be used politically,” he said ahead of Red Bull’s season opener in New York City.

“We are a sport; We are a form of entertainment and a form of escape from some of the things that are going on in the world.”

Horner, 49, noted that the FIA ​​”plays an important role in regulating sport” and he believes “there will always be freedom of speech and expression”.

“We’ve always given drivers the opportunity to express their opinions,” he said.

Under current sporting law, drivers will be banned from “making and showing any general political, religious or personal statement” unless permission is first granted, the FIA ​​said in December.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and recently retired Sebastian Vettel have been among the most outspoken drivers of environmental concerns, the Black Lives Matter movement and human rights abuses against the LGBTQ+ community.

However, several other drivers have also spoken out against the new rule, including Williams Racing’s Alex Albon.

“We know politics and attitude are sensitive areas, but we need clarity from the FIA ​​on what they are trying to tell us,” he told reporters at the start of the Williams season this week, per The Guardian.

“We need to be able to speak freely. A lot of people see us as spokespeople for issues around the world and I think it’s a driver’s responsibility to make people aware of situations like this.”

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also appeared opposed to the ban as he insisted the sport “will not put a gag on anyone”.

“We have a huge opportunity because of the position of our sport, which is increasingly global, multicultural and multi-valued,” he told The Guardian on Tuesday.

“We’re talking about 20 drivers, 10 teams and a lot of sponsors, they have different ideas, different views. I can’t say anyone is right or wrong, but it is right to give them a platform to openly discuss their opinions when needed.”

The 2023 Formula 1 season begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5th.