Recent Formula 1 events have sparked discussions about the relationship between the drivers and the FIA. Here’s a breakdown of key issues:
🏁 Swearing Controversy
- Max Verstappen and several drivers are unhappy with the FIA’s crackdown on swearing. Verstappen protested his penalty by giving minimal answers during the FIA press conference, supported by Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
- Verstappen mentioned that the drivers found the ruling “silly” in the GPDA chat. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association chairman, Alex Wurz, echoed that the penalty was excessive, contrasting the glorification of swearing in Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” series.
- While some drivers argue that occasional swearing adds authenticity, others feel it should be limited to moments of high adrenaline, such as during the race, and not in media forums.
🔍 Underlying Issues
- Tensions escalated after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem advocated for limiting swearing on TV, which angered Lewis Hamilton. He criticized the language used by Ben Sulayem, calling it “stereotypical” and suggesting it had racial undertones.
- There’s growing discomfort with Ben Sulayem’s involvement in matters that some feel are outside his jurisdiction, like TV broadcasts.
🏎️ Red Bull and Fastest Lap Strategy
- At the Singapore GP, Daniel Ricciardo set the fastest lap, taking a crucial point away from Lando Norris. Red Bull denied manipulating this to help Max Verstappen, stating it was meant as a “send-off” for Ricciardo, who might be replaced by Liam Lawson.
- McLaren team principal Andrea Stella found this tactic “peculiar” but stopped short of accusing Red Bull of unsportsmanlike behavior.
🤔 Sportsmanship Debate
- Stella called for discussions on team relations to ensure autonomous behavior, as concerns rise over the strategic interplay between Red Bull and their second team, Racing Bulls.
👑 Max Verstappen’s Season Compared to F1 Legends
- Comparisons are being made between Verstappen’s season and Alain Prost’s 1986 title or Fernando Alonso’s 2012 campaign. While Verstappen has dominated, especially in the first half of the season, his Red Bull car was consistently faster, unlike Prost or Alonso, who drove less competitive cars.
🔮 Future of George Russell in 2026
- If Verstappen moves to Mercedes for 2026, it could create a dilemma for team principal Toto Wolff. Should Andrea Kimi Antonelli also join the team, Russell may need to find a new seat, with Red Bull being a potential destination.
⚙️ Why Are F1 Cars More Reliable Today?
- Advances in technology, cost-limiting rules, and the desire for manufacturers to avoid public failures have all contributed to the increased reliability of modern F1 cars compared to those in the 1980s and 1990s.