Fourmaux reacts to support from WRC rivals amid FIA swearing resolution  

Adrien Fourmaux is grateful for the support from World Rally Championship competitors through the World Rally Drivers Alliance [WoRDA] that has resulted in a solution to the FIA swearing fine dispute.  

The Hyundai driver fell foul of the FIA’s clampdown on drivers using “inappropriate language” resulting in a €10,000 fine with €20,000 suspended, after swearing during a live television interview at the conclusion of Rally Sweden in February.

It sparked universal condemnation of the penalty by WRC drivers and the rally community. In response, drivers, led by eight-time world co-driver champion Julien Ingrassia, formed WoRDA which issued a statement urging the FIA to reconsider penalties for heat of the moment comments when competitors are interviewed in stage ends.

After failing to enter dialogue with the FIA over the matter, WRC crews opted to remain silent or speak in only their mother tongue at stage ends during Safari Rally Kenya. However, discussions between WoRDA and the FIA have resulted in a solution to the situation. 

From this weekend’s Rally Islas Canarias, traditional stage end interviews will return. Drivers will no longer be punished for swearing during said interviews and other heat-of-the-moment scenarios, such as radio communication with the team. Instead, drivers will only be sanctioned for swearing during press conferences or official media zones. This follows a similar clarification adopted in Formula 1. 

Reflecting on the positive outcome, Fourmaux told Autosport: “I’m happy and I would say we have gone back to normal.

“First, to be able to answer at the end of stage and that we don’t have to be thinking all the time that if we say something wrong that we will get a penalty, and also we can give our feelings whether it is positive or not. 

“I’m happy that the FIA was listening and everyone is working together and it was nice to see all the support from the rally drivers and not only the Rally1 drivers, which shows we are one [group together].”

Double world champion Kalle Rovanpera believes the new agreement forged with the FIA means drivers can no longer be afraid to show their emotions. 

“I think it is what everybody was aiming for and now it is fair for everybody and especially for drivers,” Rovanpera told Autosport.

“When we say things in the heat of the moment we don’t mean anything bad and in sport these things can happen. We want to be speaking normally and nicely. It makes sense and we don’t need to be afraid now in the heat of the moment.

“I think it is actually quite important that actually everyone came together to work on it, big thanks to them [the drivers] from our side and the FIA. I think it is a good step we have made together.”