Toto Wolff Supports FIA's Swearing Ban Amid Verstappen Row......

Toto Wolff Supports FIA’s Swearing Ban Amid Verstappen Row…….read more

Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, has made a surprising admission in the ongoing controversy between Max Verstappen and the FIA, specifically regarding the use of foul language in Formula 1. The dispute between Verstappen and the governing body has escalated during the 2024 season, with a notable conflict emerging at the Singapore Grand Prix. The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, introduced a controversial policy before the race, announcing that drivers would face penalties for using inappropriate language. This initiative quickly became a point of contention when Verstappen was caught swearing during a press conference, leading to an official reprimand from the FIA.

Verstappen, in response to the punishment, made the decision to boycott official press conferences, choosing instead to speak with the media outside of the scheduled events. The penalty included a community service-like requirement, which Verstappen fulfilled by participating in a public service initiative with the Rwanda Automobile Club in Kigali. Despite his compliance with the punishment, the row between the FIA and Verstappen continued, raising questions about the governing body’s influence and how it affects the drivers.

However, an unexpected twist emerged in the debate when Toto Wolff, a prominent figure in Formula 1, expressed support for the FIA’s actions. Wolff, who has often been critical of certain FIA decisions, made a surprising admission regarding the impact of foul language on his family. In an interview with Motorsport.com, Wolff shared a personal story about his seven-year-old son, who is involved in go-karting and closely follows Formula 1. Wolff revealed that his son had recently used inappropriate language after hearing it from the drivers on television.

“My son said, ‘what the f**k,’ and I asked him where he had heard that from,” Wolff explained. “He told me it was from the drivers.” This moment, Wolff admitted, made him reflect on the influence that drivers have on young viewers, including his own child. He emphasized that drivers are not just athletes but role models for millions of fans, particularly children, who watch every move they make. According to Wolff, this responsibility extends to their behavior both on and off the track, as they are constantly in the public eye and have a significant impact on the way their young audience perceives language and conduct.

While Wolff admitted to having disagreements with Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the FIA over other issues, he made it clear that he supported the decision to address foul language. “I disagree with many of the other things that he [Ben Sulayem] came up with, but on that one I think if you translate ‘f***’ into your own language or my language, it is pretty rude,” Wolff stated. He also mentioned that he would never use such language on the radio, underscoring his belief in maintaining a level of decorum, especially in a professional setting.

This stance from Wolff is a surprising development given his usual opposition to some of the FIA’s policies. However, his comments about the influence of drivers on young fans suggest that he sees the importance of regulating behavior in the sport, especially when it comes to language that could be deemed inappropriate for younger audiences. As the debate over the FIA’s swearing policy continues, it remains to be seen how other team principals and drivers will respond to Wolff’s comments and the broader issue of behavior regulation in Formula 1.