George Russell has revealed that the Grand Prix Drivers Association is preparing to present a united front in response to the FIA’s recent crackdown on swearing.
A controversy erupted after Max Verstappen was sanctioned for using the F-word while describing his car during Thursday’s FIA press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, a discourse that earned the Dutchman a day of community work.
The FIA, led by President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has taken a firm stance against foul language, seeking to curb its use not only during official press conferences but also during race broadcasts.
However, this stance has drawn criticism from drivers, who feel that their raw emotions, especially during races, are a crucial part of the sport's appeal and color.
Russell, who serves as a director of the GPDA, confirmed ahead of this weekend’s US Grand Prix, that his colleagues and himself are collectively dissatisfied with the governing body’s approach and the group plan to formally express its displeasure.
“It does seem a little bit silly that it has come to this,” admitted Russell, speaking to the media in Austin.
“We’ve yet to speak with the FIA as yet, but we hope to do so next week in Mexico. Collectively, we’re all on the same page.
“Next week we’ll probably formally put something towards you guys to read from the drivers as a united whole.”
The debate over the FIA’s policy on swearing has sparked a broader conversation about the balance between maintaining professionalism in Formula 1 and allowing drivers to express themselves authentically in the heat of competition.
Russell argued that swearing during team radio communications is a different matter altogether, as these are internal conversations between drivers and their teams that only become public when chosen for broadcast by F1’s television directors.
“We don’t want to be taking away the heat of the moment, emotions that drivers show during a race,” said the Mercedes driver.
“I think it is down to the broadcaster when it comes to the race to choose if they want to broadcast that or not.
“It is very challenging for the drivers when you have a microphone, you’re talking with your team, you’re in the middle of battle.”
While Russell acknowledged the need for drivers to be mindful of their words in certain settings, particularly when speaking to the media, he also reiterated the drivers' shared stance on the matter.
“Maybe we have a duty just to be conscious of our words,” he conceded
“As I said, I think next week we’ll probably collectively have a letter or something together just to share with everyone.”
Meanwhile, Verstappen is set to continue his policy of short answers in this weekend’s official media sessions while elaborating more on events in his own private sessions.
The championship leader has yet to hear back from the FIA on the specifics of his community work punishment. But Verstappen said that he was open to a frank discussion with Ben Sulayem on the topic of driver discourse.
“I have not heard anything [from the FIA], so for me it doesn’t really change anything,” he said.
“At the end of the day, everyone has their own opinion, but it is quite clear that, like I said already it was silly stuff.
“I am always open for a chat [with Ben Sulayem], but from my side at the moment it is not that I am the one who has to reach out with this stuff. I just live my life and continue, nothing changes.”
Elaborating on his feelings, the Red Bull charger believes the FIA has made a mount out of a molehill.
“Yeah, but that is in general the world in which we live in, right? A lot of stuff is like that,” he said.
“This particular scenario, I think it is very unnecessary. Of course I know you can’t swear but that is more related to insults and then you see comments from people saying they don’t want kids seeing that.
“Well, when I was five years old, I never watched a press conference in my life anyway. At school, you say way worse things than that, that’s just how life is.
“If you want to set an example, yeah, sure, but I don’t think you should make a big deal of it. I just want to live my life, and if I don’t agree with something I will say it. That’s it.”
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