Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has criticized the FIA for its recent crackdown on Formula 1 drivers using foul language, calling the governing body's approach excessive and counterproductive.
The FIA’s fresh stance on swearing, announced by president Mohammed Ben Sulayem ahead of last month’s Singapore Grand Prix, almost immediately triggered a controversy, with Max Verstappen receiving a one-day community service penalty after referring to his Red Bull car as “f***ed” during Thursday’s media conference a Marina Bay.
Steiner, who gained a reputation for his candid and often expletive-laden remarks during his time in the paddock, believes the FIA could have handled the situation more discreetly.
Instead of publicly enforcing penalties and drawing attention to the issue, Steiner argues that a quieter, behind-the-scenes approach would have been more effective.
“The best way would have been not to make a big story of it,” the former Haas boss told the BBC.
“Sit down with the drivers, they have a meeting every weekend, and say: ‘Hey, guys, can you tone it down a little bit? We are the FIA, we don’t really like this.’
“But don’t say: ‘If you do, you get a fine, a penalty, whatever.’ Because you know these guys, they’ve got an ego as well. And they say: ‘I don’t want to do that.’ And then what do you create? All this controversy – for nothing.”
By formalizing the punishment for swearing, the FIA may have inadvertently encouraged a backlash and created more drama than needed.
Steiner, who frequently expressed his frustration in colorful language during his years as Haas team principal - particularly in the heat of battle - as always been known for his no-nonsense, straight-talking style.
However, he pointed out that he has always been mindful of where and when he chooses to swear. He draws a clear line between casual, informal situations and official settings where professional decorum is expected.
“You have heard me a lot in press conferences and interviews like this, I don’t swear,” he said. “I swear when I am in the battle. And that’s why I made these comments.
“When you are in the heat, and adrenaline is going and emotions are going, you do it.”
The former Haas boss also addressed a common argument made by the FIA—protecting younger fans from exposure to bad language.
Steiner believes that while it’s important to consider the broader audience, swearing is so prevalent in modern media and everyday life that it’s almost impossible to shield people from it completely.
“When we say, ‘Oh, the children, we have to look after our children.’ But they hear it everywhere. Swearing has changed from what it was 20 years ago to now,” commented the Italian.
Steiner acknowledged that there are limits to what should be acceptable. Personal attacks and derogatory comments directed at individuals, whether on or off the track, should be treated differently from expletives used in the heat of a race.
“When you swear at somebody, that’s a different story,” he explained.
“But swearing at somebody in the race I understand because you’re doing 350km/h and somebody cuts you off, you’re not saying: ‘Hello, buddy, you shouldn’t be doing this.'”
Ultimately, Steiner’s perspective offers a pragmatic view on how to balance professionalism with the reality of racing in such a high-stakes environment.
As Formula 1 continues to evolve, the challenge will be finding the right approach to keep drivers in check without stifling the passion and emotion that makes the sport so compelling.
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