WRC Drivers Boycott Interviews in Protest Against FIA Swearing Ba

WRC Drivers Boycott Interviews in Protest Against FIA Swearing Ban

A growing controversy over the FIA’s crackdown on swearing has led to a boycott by World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers, highlighting increasing tensions between competitors and motorsport’s governing body.

The FIA, which oversees various racing series such as Formula 1, WRC, WEC, and Formula E, has faced criticism over its stance on inappropriate language. The issue gained traction after reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen was handed a community service-style punishment for swearing during an FIA press conference last season. The decision sparked a broader debate on whether drivers should be penalized for using strong language.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem later proposed that F1 team radio communications should no longer be broadcast to avoid exposing explicit language, further fueling the controversy. The debate intensified again at the opening round of the 2025 F1 season in Australia, where seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was heard swearing over team radio following a challenging race. While Hamilton did not receive any penalties, the FIA’s inconsistent approach to enforcing language rules continued to frustrate drivers across multiple disciplines.

WRC Drivers Push Back Against FIA’s Language Restrictions

The FIA’s policies came under scrutiny during last month’s Rally Sweden, where Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 and given a suspended €20,000 penalty for swearing in a post-stage television interview. The decision angered many in the rallying community, prompting drivers to take collective action.

Ahead of this weekend’s Safari Rally Kenya, WRC drivers staged a protest by refusing to engage in stage-end interviews during the Wednesday shakedown session in Nairobi. Some competitors remained completely silent when approached for comments, while others responded only in their native languages to demonstrate their frustration with the FIA’s strict policies.

Fourmaux, one of the most affected drivers, stood by his decision to participate in the protest, emphasizing the need for fairer regulations. The movement has also led to the formation of the World Rally Drivers’ Alliance (WRDA), a new organization similar to Formula 1’s Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA). The WRDA aims to represent the interests of rally drivers and push for fairer treatment from the sport’s governing body.

In a statement released before Safari Rally Kenya, the WRDA addressed the FIA, explaining the reasoning behind their boycott. “We all agree to keep rudeness at the microphone to a minimum. 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,” the statement read.

The alliance further justified its protest, stating: “This is why we – WRDA members – are now taking the responsible decision to remain silent at the end of interviews or to answer in our mother tongue. In the best interest of our sport, such an action is unfortunately necessary, and we apologize to all rally fans, even though we know they support us in this.”

Growing Tensions Between FIA and Competitors

The FIA’s decision to enforce penalties for strong language has created division among drivers, many of whom believe emotions are a crucial part of motorsport. While the governing body maintains that stricter rules are necessary for professionalism and family-friendly broadcasts, competitors argue that passion and frustration are natural reactions in high-stakes racing.

With the WRDA now officially formed and drivers taking collective action, the dispute over the FIA’s language policies is unlikely to fade anytime soon. The outcome of the protest at Safari Rally Kenya could determine how the FIA responds, potentially leading to discussions about revising its approach to driver communication.