FIA responds to protest by WRC drivers at the Safari Rally

The FIA has reiterated its stance on drivers using “inappropriate language” but will discuss the matter with World Rally Championship competitors following their protest at Safari Rally Kenya.

WRC drivers have elected to remain silent or speak in only their mother tongue during stage end television interviews in Kenya this week, after Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined for swearing in an interview at Rally Sweden last month.

The stance was taken by the WRC drivers after they felt the €10,000 fine and subsequent suspended €20,000 fine issued to Fourmaux was unacceptable. 

WRC drivers and co-drivers then banded together to form the World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA), similar to the Formula 1’s Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA). The newly formed alliance issued a lengthy statement directed at the FIA opposing the measures the FIA has taken to impose fines for swearing.

It called for communication with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to find an “urgent solution” to the matter, stating the “severity of the sanctions imposed for minor, isolated and unintentional language lapses” have reached “an unacceptable level”.

The FIA elected not to respond to the original WoRDA statement, but has now issued a response to Autosport following the protest made by drivers during shakedown in Kenya.

The governing body recognises that “it is crucial to assess situations on a case-by-case-basis” but maintains that “unnecessary profanity” from drivers “should not be condoned”.

It has also confirmed it will open dialogue with the drivers on the matter after this weekend’s rally.

An FIA spokesperson said: “The FIA, as with many other international sports governing bodies, maintains a code of conduct that sets out what we expect from drivers and their teams.

“Drivers are looked up to as role models by young fans and are ambassadors for motorsport across the world. 

“How drivers act at events really matters. The code’s purpose is to promote the best in sportsmanship and respect, this includes expectations around language which could be seen as offensive or inappropriate by the public.

“The rules and penalties are in line with those taken by our peer organisations in global sports championships.

“We recognise that it is crucial to assess situations on a case-by-case basis, but unnecessary profanity should not be condoned and does little to help promote and grow the sport with fans, sponsors, and partners.

“In line with a similar meeting held with Formula 1 drivers in Melbourne last weekend, Ronan Morgan, President of the Drivers Committee along with Petter Solberg, Vice President of the Committee and Emilia Abel, Junior Road Sport Director are planning to discuss this matter and other topics with drivers after the Safari Rally Kenya.”