FIA clarifies free speech rule after fierce backlash from drivers
Drivers take a knee to protest racism ahead of the 70th anniversary F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone on August 9, 2020.
Frank Augstein | AFP | Getty Images
The FIA, which governs Formula One, has said drivers will only be allowed to make political statements in “extraordinary” circumstances after trying to sort out their controversial new law.
The sports governing body recently updated its rules to prevent “political, religious or personal” statements from being made without prior authorisation.
However, the FIA has drawn fierce backlash from a number of drivers – seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton this week insisted he will not be silenced and Lando Norris is accusing F1 rulers of treating drivers like schoolchildren treat.
In a bid to clarify the law – which threatened to cast a shadow over the new season – the FIA has responded with a three-page document sent to the 10 teams on the grid on Friday.
The document says riders can still “voice their views on political, religious or personal matters” in “their own space” and outside of a race via their social media channels or during an interview.
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However, drivers face penalties if they break the law on track – for example during the national anthem before a race or on the podium.
But in an apparent move to appease the growing unrest, the FIA said that in “extraordinary” circumstances it “may authorize a competitor to make a statement at an international competition that would otherwise be prohibited,” with a request that four Case is filed weeks in advance.
It adds that the driver must “give reasons why such a permit should be granted” and that each request will be assessed “on a case-by-case basis”.
Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater:
The FIA on Friday released guidance for teams on “political” news and where it might be appropriate. There are some gray areas and there still seems to be a disagreement with F1’s commercial rights holder. Could there be a ‘One Love Armlet’-type confrontation in Bahrain?
Sky sports news understands that in relation to a driver wearing, for example, the Pride or Rainbow logo on a racing helmet, the FIA would expect the driver to obtain prior permission to wear that symbol.
Such requests would be dealt with on a case by case basis and the location of the event would be a consideration.
F1 – owner of the commercial rights of F1 – sees it differently. F1 supported the wearing of the Pride logo – recently in places like Qatar and Saudi Arabia – and would continue to do so.
F1 teams still believe the FIA has caved in on the matter. The clarification marks a significant reversal from the FIA’s original position – as understood by the teams.
The FIA says that drivers “can express their views on political, religious or personal matters before, during and after the International Competition in their own area and outside the framework of the International Competition”, on social media and during media interviews, including the FIA press conferences.
But the clarification goes on to say that, in addition to refraining from special language during the drivers’ parade, national anthem ceremonies, pre-season and post-season driver group photos and on the podium (including visual gestures such as wearing a specific piece of clothing), “Competitors are prohibited from doing so in violation of the general principle of neutrality to make political, religious and/or personal statements [the] FIA press conferences (except in response to direct questions from accredited journalists).”
The FIA also clarified “political”, “religious” or “personal” expressions. A Rule Breach occurs when: “The general making and display of political, religious and personal expressions or comments, in particular in breach of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its Statutes, unless the FIA for International has previously written approval issued by competitions or by the relevant ASN for national competitions in their jurisdiction”.
Controversial F1 free speech rule: What did Hamilton and the drivers say?
Hamilton, who first spoke on the subject at the Mercedes car launch on Wednesday, told Sky Sports News he would “still be 100%” using his platform to highlight issues.
“These issues are still important enough to talk about,” Hamilton said.
“I think we’ve come a long way. I think we’ve seen a lot of progress, but there’s more to do and we’re still going to places that are still struggling and I know there’s work going on in those places too and those things can take time.
“I will continue to be myself and continue to fight for things that I am passionate about. I wouldn’t let anyone stop me.”
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton wears a rainbow helmet during practice sessions of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, December 3, 2021.
Andrei Isakovic | AFP | Getty Images
Hamilton added of the rule: “It doesn’t surprise me. But nothing is going to stop me from speaking out about the things I’m passionate about and the issues that are out there.”
It’s not clear what a penalty might be for drivers if they don’t follow the rule.
“I think it would be silly to say I want to take extra penalties for speaking out on things,” Hamilton said.
“But I will still give my opinion and because we still have this platform, there are still many things that we need to address.”
Drivers were unanimous in their dissatisfaction with the rule.
Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, predicted a change to the new rule ahead of the inaugural race in Bahrain in two weeks’ time, while fellow British driver McLaren Norris said: “I feel like it’s quite a change gave a bit of pressure and said enough to make a U-turn.
“F1 has made it clear what is acceptable and what we should be able to do and I stand by the fact that we should be able to say what we want and what we believe in.
“We’re not in a school and we shouldn’t have to ask about everything and say, ‘Can we do this?’ and ‘can we do that?’ We’re mature enough to make wise decisions.”