World Rally Championship drivers, who joined their Formula 1 counterparts in protesting the FIA’s clampdown on swearing, are refusing to answer questions from the media this weekend.
The competitors formed the World Rally Drivers’ Alliance last month after the FIA used its new sanctions to fine Adrian Fourmaux for swearing while speaking to media at the last round in Sweden.
At this weekend’s Safari Rally in Kenya, drivers are either refusing to answer questions or responding only in their native language.
“We all agree to keep rudeness at the microphone to a minimum,” they said in a statement. “At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a certain freedom of expression and to keep emotions alive while drivers don’t need to be afraid of getting punished in any way.”
Fourmaux was fined €30,000 (£25,000) of which €20,000 was suspended, for using the word “fucked.” F1 drivers face fines of up to €40,000 for the same infringement.
“We have asked the president of the FIA for some positive changes in the rules to help us achieve this goal,” the rally drivers added.
“For the reasons explained in our statement, it is impossible for us to guarantee that we (drivers and co-drivers) will be able to follow these rules perfectly and systematically.
“This is why we – WoRDA Members – are now taking the responsible decision to remain silent at the end of the interviews or to answer in our mother tongue.
“In the […] interest of our sport, such an action is unfortunately needed, and we apologise to all the rally fans, even though we know they support us in this.”
Last year Max Verstappen was ordered to perform “public work” at an FIA event in Rwanda for swearing during an official press conference in Singapore. Charles Leclerc was fined €10,000 (£8,420), half of which was suspended, for swearing in a Mexican Grand Prix press conference.
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