FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has taken a stand on protecting officials from the growing trend of online abuse linked to negative comments by competitors.
The decision follows a comprehensive investigation by the FIA, which established a clear connection between critical comments aimed at stewards and a subsequent surge in online harassment directed towards these officials.
Recognizing the serious implications of this trend, F1’s governing body has moved to update the definition of "misconduct" within the institution’s International Sporting Code (ISC).
This change provides race stewards with more robust tools to discipline competitors whose public statements may provoke a hostile reaction from the public towards officials.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s statement on social media:
"As part of our ongoing fight against online abuse, recent investigations have shown that there is a direct link between negative comments from drivers and team members and increased hate directed towards officials on social media.
"At the last World Motor Sport Council, members approved a change to the definition of misconduct within the ISC following incidents in which high profile members of our sport have made statements towards officials that incite abuse.
"This change will ensure further support for the FIA Officials and Volunteers who dedicate their time to improving our sport, keeping it safe and fair.
"Our Stewards must be prepared to show strength when combatting this form of abuse, and they have my full support, and the support of our International Sporting Code, when making their decisions.
"I urge them to show that the FIA will not allow abuse of any kind within our sport."
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By empowering stewards to take action against those who cross the line, the FIA is sending a strong message that accountability extends to everyone involved in the sport, from drivers to team principals.
This policy shift comes in the wake of several high-profile incidents where competitors publicly lashed out at stewards, leading to widespread criticism and, in some cases, targeted online attacks.
For instance, during the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez fiercely criticized the stewards after receiving a penalty for a collision with Lando Norris, labeling the decision as "a joke."
Similarly, former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner derisively referred to stewards as "laymen" after his driver Nico Hulkenberg was penalized for a first-lap collision earlier in the same season.
In 2021, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner found himself in hot water after blaming a "rogue marshal" for a penalty imposed on Max Verstappen during the Qatar Grand Prix.
Horner's remarks earned him a formal warning from the FIA, highlighting the growing tension between competitors and race officials.
The updated ISC now empowers stewards to penalize not just in-race actions but also post-race comments that could incite public hostility.
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