FIA resistance against F1 misconduct penalties ignored, sources claim
Rumors
Criticism for the FIA's decision to start punishing misconduct has not been limited to the drivers and fans, there has also reportedly been much opposition within the governing body itself. BBC Sport has reported that the decision was pushed through by Mohammed Ben Sulayem himself.
On Tuesday, the FIA published an updated version of its sporting regulations which included a new penalty system that applies to all races and championships under the governing body, including Formula 1. These additions give the stewards the power to dish out sky-high fines, points deductions and even race suspensions.
Opposition to new penalties coming from within FIA
According to BBC Sport, criticism for these new rules does not only come from outside, but also from within the governing body itself. One source reportedly called the decision 'ridiculous'. 'He [Ben Sulayem] acts like a dictator,' the source added. Many people at the FIA reportedly opposed the decision.
One source said the decision was pushed through via a 'snap e-vote and with no consultation with other stakeholders or the GPDA or the FIA's own drivers' commission'. Another said it was 'not right' to act in this way and wondered why it was not up for discussion at the next meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).
Drivers risk high fines and heavy penalties
Under the new system, heavy penalties could be handed out if a driver commits a similar offence three times within a two-year period. Such repeat offences could land them on a one-month suspension and even a points deduction in the championship.
Formula 1 drivers released a joint statement towards the FIA late in the 2024 season through the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) regarding the FIA's fining the drivers for swearing. Whether the GPDA will now be come out with another statement is not yet known.
This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder.
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