FIA CRACKS DOWN on Drivers With SHOCKING Rule Changes!

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

Every SINGLE driver should immediately break the rules. What's he going to do if everyone is suspended. He won't have a championship.

[@Recon6delta]

Totally agree they should all say at once f MBS !!!!!

[@adewouters]

I would applaud if they all break the new rules together and at once.

[@MrDadaborgy]

all drivers should have a silent protest, seat it out and not race! fire this tyrant dictator MBS! all teams should support their drivers and boycott the FIA!

[@Recon6delta]

@ agree

[@blitonz]

Facts. The teams should aggree. And do it at the first race back so it sets the precedent.

[@michaelisaacson9735]

Easy solution: Teams and drivers refuse to show up for anything. Solved in minutes.

[@henric73]

FIA is overstepping its boundaries. Drivers misbehaving is governed ONLY by the Formula 1 org, not FIA. FIA is only there for fairness of the racing, period. Ben Sulayem is WAY OVER HIS HEAD! Does he think he is in his autocratic arab world?!

[@BobH809]

Yes he does, and let this be a lesson to anyone else or any other such body out there in the big wide world, people like Ben believe that they have the right, no matter where they are, to bring their 'rights and beliefs' everywhere they go, and expect them to be enforced. I spent six and a half years working in Saudi Arabia in case you were wondering how I know.

[@BlueThunderO7]

​@@BobH809 That way of thinking is gonna come back to bite him in his ass real soon.

[@imik3y]

All drivers should protest in FP1 Melbourne demanding him to step down or not drive their cars

[@I_hate_Vegemite]

Perhaps not disrupt the Australia with its hundreds of thousands of F1-devoted paying spectators (ditto Japan R3). Save it for one of the bought GPs in a sh-hole country - R2 China, R4 Bahrain or ideally R5 Saudi Arabia,

[@edit_by_tony]

As an Aussie & a unionist I agree, MBS resigns & rules are rescinded of we don't drive again until they are The drivers have to stay together and remain committed anything less & they have lost not just the battle but the war

[@marcwagoner568]

I don't think they should do it in Australia seeing as how this is coming from a middle eastern dictatorship it should happen in Saudi Arabia or one of those other countries that have decided to take over Formula 1

[@alasdairwhyte6616]

@@marcwagoner568 it should happen in every race until the fia get their head out of their ass

[@davidvasta]

Agree or break the rules twice, all of them, in the first presser and let them have a month off. F1 needs to come down hard on the FIA for this madness.

[@Lord_of_Pie]

Ben Sulayem is a clown 🤡

[@Marikikiki-34]

Watch what you’re saying, or you’ll get fined 😂

[@future-tm1tb]

From Day 1

[@ulfasplund3514]

That is not very nice to clowns.

[@Marikikiki-34]

@@ulfasplund3514 i agree 😂

[@evelghostrider]

What do you have against clows friend... poor clowns

[@paulgilbert9346]

Authoritarian is as authoritarian does…. MBS follows his king…. He needs to be removed from the FIA but he will stack the votes. 🤷‍♂️

[@robotnikkkk001]

..ON TOP OF THAT ...... ALL MANUFACTURERS basically DEPEND ON GULF MONARCHIES' WALLETS ......THINGS WILL ONLY GET worse

[@simonhooper2458]

Dissolve the FIA with an indefinite strike by all teams

[@Wormwood-007]

Why don't you all grow up, it's all a scripted show with a storyline, they're doing everything to keep y'all addicted to their show, it makes them rich.

[@paulgilbert9346]

@ Maybe you should read something other than the sports news before you make such an ill informed comment.

[@Wormwood-007]

@@paulgilbert9346 What's ill informed about my comment? There's hardly any difference between how F1 and WWE operates, other than WWE don't hide the fact that the actual wrestling is not authentic, where the rules can be bent and twisted to suit the storyline, because it's an entertainment show, and F1 pretends to be authentic while they also bend and twist their rules to suit a storyline, because it's a show tailored for entertainment. When Ecclestone was in charge, he made sure F1 remained exclusive to appear authentic, since LM took over, they ain't interested in exclusivity, they're interested in revenue, and to achieve this F1 has to be tailored to a younger generation that only needs to be entertained, and the Americans are good in the entertainment business, because it generates revenue, we saw that with Abu Dhabi 2021. I ask you, if F1 is a fair authentic sport, why do teams like Kick Sauber, Alpine, Haas compete in a competition that they will never win, how can such a thing be even profitable?

[@stephenwray4950]

They should all to get a 1 month ban during May to miss out on 4 races. Can't imagine promoters of the races being too happy at having no major F1 drivers at the races.

[@vonblunder]

That's a fascist in action.

[@bubbles1525_]

Pretty much every sport does the same thing

[@chriseyles204]

Senior drivers need to make a stand against MBS, who should be removed before he ruins the sport.

[@janstehouwer3760]

He already ruined the sport in fact.

[@evelghostrider]

You want to make a difference, stop watching F1 That would have more affect

[@samuelchambers4036]

Agreed. Wonder what would happen if they refused to race until MBS is removed

[@ihaveone6086]

@@janstehouwer3760 DAYMN!!! the only difference between your comment and one I was about to make is addition of colloquial word for coitus, between already and ruined.... 🤪🤪🤪

[@daves4081]

this is nuts, they need to get rid of Ben Sulayem now.

[@bobthielemann9307]

Ben Sulayem needs to go before his Nazi practices and Gestapo treatment of the drivers and teams ruins the last truly enjoyable motorsport in the world.

[@Sanelora1]

The last truly enjoyable Motorsport in the world? Are you sure about that? 🤔

[@waynemillard7426]

​@@Sanelora1- it's certainly better than any racing offered in the US.

[@colinfitzsimons3409]

When was he put in charge of MotoGP?

[@stephenwood9703]

No just him, the F1 should cut ties with the FIA and find a new motorsport body to govern motorsport.

[@ralf7823]

I hope all drivers will stand together, and before it is race time just threaten to all not race unless the rules are changed again

[@TalladegaTom]

It is definitely time to fire Mo Ben.

[@laupernut]

MBS bringing Islamic law to the FIA. Time he was shown the door 🚪

[@loonyman83]

this is very easy to fix. Refuse to race until changes are made. As soon as nobody comes out on FP1 of the first race of the season... they will backoff very quickly. They won't risk losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars. They can't force the drivers to actually drive.

[@franklinniesterjr3812]

No, just refuse to race in a muslim country.

[@michael__n9207]

Yeah, but the team's can it's called a contract.

[@Rebecca-qx1et]

​@@michael__n9207the teams should be protesting too with their drivers.

[@cjmillsnun]

@@michael__n9207 If every single driver refused to race, the teams would be able to do jack shit.

[@AKStovall]

@@michael__n9207 the drivers have a union (Grand Prix Driver's Association) and the union can direct it's members to not race. what can the teams do? Because the contract goes both ways, the teams can't bring in replacement drivers, or they suffer breach of contract. The teams MUST abide by the drivers union's decision. Plus, the teams are unhappy with MBS as well, so I'd bet that if the drivers sat it out, the teams would be fine with it.

[@Potat0s]

All 20 drivers should boycott the FIA cause theses rules are just absolutely ridiculous

[@andrewsingh]

Can’t F1 not just breakaway from the FIA?

[@grahambeech4636]

Yes they can.

[@SundraTanakoh]

The USA Pork Council should sponsor some F1 Teams

[@franklinniesterjr3812]

Now that was saucy 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@christianmandessi2503]

😂

[@leewingate508]

@@franklinniesterjr3812oo brown sauce with sausages! And preferably white toast as well for that sausage sandwich and a mug of tea

[@simonkevnorris]

@@christianmandessi2503 Or a Danish Bacon company.

[@patrickjean-philippe7679]

😂🤣😂🤣😋

[@marcoosvald8429]

I would love to see ALL the drivers pull a wildcat and all break the rules in the exact same way or even refuse to start a race and see what Sulayem does then. Talk about pork on his face... Do it guys.

[@PaulMallorie]

Get rid of MBS now! Modern day dictator too much in the public eye and too full of his own ego

[@kygator1]

To much power for one man. Needs to be a change! No one really needs the FIA any way.

[@evelghostrider]

Why you own the program... you control its narrative my friend. I've not watched F1 in years as it started going down hill long long ago

[@muddymoon]

@@evelghostriderit’s unfortunate that drivers with talent have to deal with such sensitive idiots

[@rickie0]

Power corrupts some, and absolute power corrupts some absolutely. Mohammed Ben Sulyem falls into that category, if he hasn't already fallen.

[@chasing-liberty]

F1 needs to walk away from the Fia, they've talked about it before when it wasn't as bad as this, time for action!

[@MakoMediaProduction]

Fans just need to boycott one race.... that money lost will send a new message to the animals at the FIA. Fans in large numbers need to side with the drivers. Because this guy is just a dictator. What else would you expect though.....?

[@gunningopher]

Too much to expect from the fans. Look at who we are voting for around the world. As an American, I certainly wouldn't count on my fellow citizens to stand up to an autocrat. Dismays me to say it, but it is true.

[@aluwanimoyo4093]

Races are too expensive and booked well in advance most fans simply want what they paid for. They didn't pay for f-bombs. This is on the drivers. They need to show some teeth and deal with it or suck it up..

[@adewouters]

Totally ridiculous, blind and stupid. In the middle of a race the drivers are under high level of stress and adrenaline and you want them to show diplomacy and reserve? Utterly ridiculous. Who decides to broadcast the messages exchanged between a driver and his team? I would argue that those messages could be considered as private and I would easily demand in justice to respect the privacy of those messages.

[@ragnampizadread9037]

What penalties do the fia get for racism???? More importantly F1 can exist without the FIA can the fia say the same?

[@gunningopher]

F1 can't exist in name without the FIA. FIA owns the brand. Without the name it has a different name and probably different races. All the teams would be different, too, since they all have too much invested to leave.

[@eco_logic]

@@gunningopher F1 could always step out of FIA and start up again as an undepended F1

[@bobbythompson3544]

The Rap music remark is a mystery, when has it even been used?

[@eco_logic]

@ I remember it years ago

[@tankeater]

You're the R ist if you think mentioning rap has to deal with race.

[@pdiazdeleon]

The drivers should go on strike until Ben Sulayem is gone.

[@waltervonoer9190]

Well, what are the penalties for the FIA associates if they dare not elect Mr. MbS? It seems as if he is currently in financial difficulties and wants to secure his position with fines instead of bribes.

[@SuperblindMech77]

This is INSANE all the drivers need to take a vow of silence and not talk to anyone outside of there team. . Looks like they let a fox in the hen house and he isn't having any of it dude is a dictator and this takes the shackles off of the FIA to do what ever they please without and reprocusions of blow back/push back and if you do well you get a fi e, you get a fine , and you get a fine, and you get a fine oh with 1 month suspension to boot 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@descent815]

MBS Needs to go!!!

[@waltervonoer9190]

Well, then I can probably assume that the current president of the United States of America is NOT subject to the FIA rules, right? Or does MbS not dare to make a statement?

[@markbillions9989]

Every driver should walk out on a race at the same time and show the FIA who really runs F1.

[@aluwanimoyo4093]

Yep. They should also lawyer up and sue the FIA coz these rules constitute a code of conduct; a code of conduct is a CONTRACT - and you can't add and remove clauses in a contact after the fact without agreement from both parties. That's standard contract law.

[@ian666if]

MBS is nothing but a dictator and will ruin F1. All the drivers should get together and break ALL his rules at the first race of the season, with a threat of repeat action. Get him out of the FIA or start a new "F1 series" where racing is done on the track.

[@robertcooper6910]

The drivers should boycott the Middle East races until Sulayem steps down. The teams and sponsors would put immense pressure on him. Frankly, I don’t know why F1 is even under the FIA umbrella. They really don’t bring anything to the sport.

[@AKStovall]

boycott them all. boycott anything that the FIA has control over.

[@simonhooper2458]

FIA owns all the naming rights etc

[@matthewbaynham6286]

I'm predicting the drivers and teams will give the FIA an ultimatum to fire Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The sport needs the drivers and the teams, the sport doesn't need the FIA, the drivers and teams can simply reorganise with a different organisation doing the bureacracy.

[@sobanoodlez9372]

@8:00 Calling out the FIA for racist or offensive statement can even see a driver getting hit with a penalty? High time for the FIA to sack Ben Sulayem!

[@michaelgomez3044]

Wow what a bunch of clowns.

[@roberthart3305]

Yeah, this is the autocracy in action. You can only spout the party line. This is a typical control move by a dictator that does not want to be criticized. (Kim Jon Un, anyone?) Look how happy we all are. The driver's association needs to meet this with an immediate lawsuit challenge.

[@juniorngomane7201]

Brake fails and driver crashes doing 200km/h “Oh sweet, sorry team..oh wow sorry i crashed guys! Get MBS outta of F1 asap, this man doesnt understand motorracing.

[@morgansvensk1206]

Another argument for not watching F1 has moved on to Indycar not so much politics

[@gcrockford8191]

Refuse to drive until the rules are changed

[@davidbushby2557]

The f1 gpda should take a stand once and for all,without the drivers there is no f1 and I think the fans will back the drivers.

[@AmsterdamHeavy]

The drivers need to get this under control. Theyre the only ones who can.

[@richardnunn3205]

The drivers should just say they do not accept the rule changes. One out all out. MBS would look silly if they were not going to race and would cause him to immediately resign. Job sorted. F1 does not need this self centred pr!ck.

[@ashleyvmoore]

Give a dictator a job at the FIA and find out what happens

[@tx_plays1916]

If all drivers criticised this rule and got suspended what’s the plan then? Also how would FIA deal if all criticism was anonymous and came through the GPDA?

[@arthurgordon6072]

The GPDA should demand that there is consultation between them and the FIA with regard to 'the rules' and any changes to 'the rules'.

[@sparkdaniel]

The Teams should just break off like they where about to do a couple of years ago

[@John-t3h6t]

Seems all Ben Sulayem forgot was a carpet pardon for all FIA officials and a lifetime contract for himself.

[@imperator708]

didnt he do that a few months ago?

[@walterstockhecker5579]

Here come the language police!

[@ElPandaWarrior]

You want Muslim money in your sport, you should expect Muslim style governing. F1 has brought this on it self by. It was only a matter of time.

[@adewouters]

@@ElPandaWarrior not completely false indeed...

[@matthewbaynham6286]

It's not really the "Muslin style governing", look at Iran it was a Democracy until in the 1970's it nationalised the oil industry, then the Americans overthrow the democratically elected government and the Americans installed a government that would make American oil firms happy, that didn't go so well in the long term. But my point is, where there is oil dictatorships are encouraged. Because when oil businesses try to bride a government the dictatorships are more interested and easier to buy. So oil rich countries are mostly dictatorships with very few exceptions.

[@jakewarrington3056]

F1 needs to leave the FIA. It's as simple as that

[@wildw0lf120]

the drivers should all get suspended at the same time to prove how stupid this is

[@J1Z06]

F1 lost its soul. Far too many rules and regs.

[@quakermaas]

In this sport tempers will always boil over from time to time, trying to stop this completely is an idiotic move. Very harsh and over the top penalties.

[@Nathan-ni4mk]

Ben is taking away the freedom of drivers and that is not what sport is supposed to be, you should be able to express yourself in sport. He himself doesn't follow his own rules so why should the drivers?!?! He really needs to be fired😤🤬

[@stuartmcmahon8870]

Everything that MBS says and does is offensive and is bringing the sport down. He MUST go

[@Waffles1955]

F1 is the goose that lays the golden eggs. They should tell the FiA to pack sand...

[@BobSmith-uu5kj]

No worries I will tell what all drivers think about him next time I see him in Geneva. It’s time for him to pack his bags and return to his “amazing” racing driver career in Saudi Arabia lol. This will end with an alternate F1 championship out of FIA control, what a clown!

[@guido69x]

FIA wants to make a SWEAR JAR! LMAO 🤣😂😅😆

[@NikCan66]

This person in charge thinks these drivers are just glorified serfs

[@jonwitty1]

Get rid of broadcasting the team radios. Problem solved. I can assume sweating was even more common prior to the radio communication was part of the show.

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

Or just let them swear. That's absolutely pathetic

[@quikesteve]

Or get rid of MBS. Problem solved.

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

@@quikesteve that's going to be so ridiculously difficult due to how he's placed himself in power

[@notalwaysright71]

Wasn't the Malaysian GP always the worst for sweating.

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

@notalwaysright71 lol

[@30letters]

F1 getting popular was the worst thing to happen to the sport , Liberty Media is turning it to a game show. They doing a collective livery release. I think after 33 years , i am done with F1.

[@notalwaysright71]

Same sort of time watching for me. If things dont get better soon I'm out. Cars are too big and heavy and the running of the sport has gone to shite. I never liked Bernie but he really knew how to run F1. And really cared about it.

[@30letters]

@@notalwaysright71 it’s a joke now .. new regulation even banned flipping the finger which is a standard for a good driver. Bernie will be missed but to be fair wouldn’t think he would be able to do anything, better he left before.

[@Docjonel]

Yeah, don't want our racers to be like those rap stars! Imagine trying this if James Hunt was still around! Appoint someone from an authoritarian country your leader and this is what you get. F1 shouldn't be racing in Saudi Arabia at all, let alone putting a Saudi in charge. But F1's virtue signaling ("We Race As One") has always ended where it's wallet began.

[@RelicNL]

First penalty of € 40.000 should be given to Mohammed Ben Sulayem for causing a moral injury to the FIA for making up these rules.

[@junko4166]

I'm not telling anyone to do anything, but dictators seldom give up their power alive.

[@Hanking-Warry]

Why don't they bring this farcical spectacle to its final conclusion?

[@quikesteve]

I want an amazing 2025 season, but I hope the Drivers Association with backing from F1 start pushing back hard against MBS. All of them like Lewis said should just keep doing what they are doing, don't pay the fines and if half the grid gets suspended let the world know its MBS who is such an insecure crybaby is at fault for what's happening.

[@dbg2644]

I think the drivers should boycott the next races until these ridiculous rules are amended.

[@peterbrazier7107]

Next rule change from Ben Sulayem, women are banned from working for any Motorsport Teams.

[@seanbeukman9563]

Well done FIA! Its about time. These drivers are not above common decency especially considering their influence over the public. What do people expect? "We demand the right to swear!" - a million man march? Wake up people. BEHAVE drivers! Represent human dignity, leave the gutter where it belongs. Dont sully the sport. Obviously.

[@gunningopher]

All the drivers should hold a press conference and say that 'there rules are "F'd", and not apologize. They need to stand united against this authoritarianism. As an American, I now look to Europe to carry the torch, since we "F'd", ourselves.

[@franklinniesterjr3812]

Freedom = Trump Train.

[@gunningopher]

@@franklinniesterjr3812 Yeah, if you beat up cops and trash a government building, you're set free.

[@thomasgoldschmidt298]

Maybe it is time to get rid of the FIA as governing body for Formula 1. GT3 is organized and governed by SRO...

[@johnnyquist8362]

Ben must Go. He is not the Sultan of F1 drivers.

[@evelghostrider]

But he does control the flow of money.... And people do anything for money today.

[@issy9241]

yeaah... keep going FIA, you will loose a lot of fans and drivers. MBS has to go!

[@ddg7889]

what thef.. is wrong with the FIA. are they all nuts?

[@bcfdt-p9f]

Next the drivers will be required to wear burkahs by them people

[@nigelm1130]

But fire retardant ones … MBS why can they not remove him …. King attitude

[@snomann5908]

The drivers need to put a stop to this NOW they are not children What i would like to see is the first race at the start they ALL stop the cars get out and walk then the next race and so on till they treat the drivers like PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES they will get the message very quick

[@ddg7889]

I want to see and hear the true feeling of the drivers and team. it doesn't bother me at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tonkatoytruck]

Free speech is a Constitutional right here in the USA. Wars have been fought to protect these rights. Drivers are on their own if they allow the FIA to violate these rights. I would not be surprised if all the drivers "fell ill" before the first race of the 2025 season!

[@SNASCARWRCGamingwithMJ]

And the west not just the USA dumbo, I call you that because not everyone is fromthe USA learn a map of the world once in while free speech is for everyone not just USA. There is 209 nations you know while you like it or not stop breaching about or constitution not everyone believes in that I am from the UK God Americans I am not being rude I am trying snap you in reality

[@3373just]

Except you can't even say shit on television! USA is the most censored TV in the western world!

[@stuinNorway]

The incidents with driver radio were drivers talking to their teams, the decision to broadcast those words for TV lies with the director of the F1 TV team. I seen the first press conferences after the coming races being very quiet with drivers potentially not saying anything, in case he gets offended, but then he'll probably claim that was offensive and fine them all anyway. It's a simply way to quickly earn lots of extra pocket money too.

[@Goneforgood81]

The pilots should unit and all of them get 2 penalties at the same time , let’s see what the Queen Bee thinks about not having races for a month .

[@robertburt8922]

Why is the general use of language associated with physical assaults. These two are very different in their nature and the language shouldn’t associate the two offensives. What are the definitions of “offensive, course, rude, cause offense, humiliation, and inappropriate”? These terms are very broad and left up to interpretation. Without concise definition this statement can be perceived as censorship which no sport should condone the censorship of free speech.

[@budgie003]

how about just not racing when the lights go out, just sit there the get out the car, that would make a statement

[@seanbeukman9563]

Sir Lewis? I expected more. What racial element? The profanity of the more prominent rap is globally recognised. Wth? No dude. I'm black and comparisons with the genre of music are justified not stereotyped. Words have power. Abusive words are dumb and lazy. Step up to the heights of human dignity. Respect the platform that you occupy. Set an example. This is not high school. This is the real world. Deal with it.

[@christopherhowarth4798]

This is not from the FIA. This is from one man pushing his own authority. Were the drivers consulted about the new rules ? As an Aussie, when the F1 comes to the land down under, Do not practice and strike. But have who the drivers and teams want as the new F1 boss to take over.

[@E_Dubb21]

Break-away series loading...

[@Michael-t8t3r]

So Mohammed Ben Sulayem wearing his Thobe would be banned…it is a religious statement

[@chrisseeley1677]

These new fines for speaking out are ridiculous ! It's just like living in the UK !

[@Banyo__]

I'm all good with Driver punches another in the face, banned for a month, fines up to here. Cool. But when you say that's on the same exact footing as Max or Charles saying f*** in a press conference about inanimate objects, we've reached fascist levels. What he has failed to understand is if he actually enacts these rules and these drivers lose championship points, or are suspended for long periods, fans are going to absolutely rage to him and the FIA, no matter how hard he tries to silence the drivers. This sport is fan driven, not FIA driven. If fans dare to boycott or rage online...it will be a slim period of time before the hammer comes down on him. We care about racing, not someone who said one swear word that one time in a press conference.

[@Richard-1Racing]

You better do what the Sand people command or else , GFY FIA

[@paulsdrc]

It would be great if all the drivers stayed quiet during interviews, yes/no answers. Stating sorry I can’t say more I don’t want to get fined.

[@joebolan4082]

And would that get them fined because they did not uphold their "duty" to answer questions? A Catch-22.

[@SeanReynolds-gg7oq]

Just a thought........why not get as many F1 fans as poss to bombard the FIA website calling out MBS

[@generic5191]

Replace Mohammed with Nelson Piquet.

[@schachtbrian]

The behavior of the FIA should be not be allowed! They are overstepping and censoring.

[@thilinaavishka5084]

Every driver should protest against this. FIA president either should step down or these insane rules must be rolled back

[@slakerfiftytwo3932]

based on the way the rule is written, the creators of the rule have brought offense and morale injury to the F1 world and need to be fined according to their fine/suspension structure after each race weekend since this rule is a major offense and moral injury brought to the quality of F1

[@benjaminmellingen5340]

time for the drivers and teams to finally stand together and tell the FIA how this sport is meant to be run

[@jeff3575davison]

The drivers should get together to make a mockery of the rules by ALL 20 drivers swearing, giving rude gestures to each and obscenities over the radio other every other lap of the first race. So many infractions the FIA would have to ban all drivers for several months.

[@JackMakoszewski]

This is SO F**KED UP! It's SERIOUSLY time for F1, all other F1-genres and most (if not all) other motorsports to leave the FIA and setup a new and their own governing body.

[@SPeeSimon]

Time for some new "sponsors". "No, i am not swearing, i just casually mention my sponsor". 😊