FIA News: A review of the bad-conduct rule change

The FIA has modified rules in the International Sporting Code (ISC) that essentially tells F1 personnel (as well as personnel in other FIA sanctioned series) not to air their dirty laundry in public.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Now if you open your mouth on live TV, team radio or to the media, that paints the sport in a bad light without taking your complaint directly to the FIA to argue, it is going to cost you dearly.

The modification of the ISC comes in the wake of several instances in recent years when certain words uttered by team bosses and drivers caused people to raise their eyebrows, especially when they were addressed toward FIA personnel and the marshals.

There are several examples that can be cited from this year. During the Monaco Grand Prix, Haas team principal Guenther Steiner addressed the FIA stewards as “laymen” after Nico Hulkenberg received a five-second penalty for making contact with Logan Sargeant.

The most recent controversy, which made a lot of noise, involved Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, who called the stewards a “joke” for handing him a five-second penalty after making contact with Lando Norris. He was eventually let off with a warning for the antic.

Previously, Article 12.2.1 (k), forbade any ‘misconduct’ aimed at officials, officers or members of FIA staff, organizers or promoters, or doping control officials among others, including suppliers and contractors. Now though, the updated rule simply states that ‘Any misconduct’ will be forbidden.

If a driver opens their mouth in public and really paints the sport in a bad light, or if he deliberately takes out another driver, making the sport look unprofessional, the maximum applicable FIA fine limit that can be levied upon a driver has been raised from €250,000 to €1 million.