The Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) shared an open letter calling on the FIA to treat F1 drivers “like adults”.Formula 1 drivers called on FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to “take into account their own style and language” in a statement through the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) after the swear words.In the statement published on the GPDA’s Instagram page, after Max Verstappen was sentenced to public service sentence on the grounds of swearing at the press conference held in Singapore, the members expressed their common stance and presented their support to the Dutch pilot.

Charles Leclerc was also fined €10,000 for swearing at the post-race press conference in Mexico, half of which was suspended for 12 months on the condition that the crime was not repeated.The statement also stated that the FIA should treat the pilots as “adults”, and references were also made to the media releases distributed in 2022 regarding the wear of jewelry in the vehicle, which is believed to have targeted Lewis Hamilton.

Although the GPDA admitted that the pilots must comply with the “referee’s decision”, they stated that they wanted to cooperate with F1 and FIA to ensure that all decisions are for the benefit of the championship and viewing pleasure.

In addition, the GPDA stated that it was not satisfied with the fines given to the pilots, and that full transparency was not provided, especially in the use of these fines. He asked Ben Sulayem to “provide financial transparency” on the use of money obtained from penalties and to agree on where this money should be spent by all stakeholders.

The GPDA also stated that it thinks F1 is doing its part to help promote it well for the benefit of everyone who participates in the championship, and called on other stakeholders to do the same.George Russell, one of the current drivers, and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel are among the directors of the GPDA. Alexander Wurz, a former F1 driver and the two-time Le Mans 24-Hour race, is currently the chairman of the GPDA.

Full GPDA statement

Statement from GPDA Regarding “Driver Abuses”

“As in every sport, competitors have to comply with the referee’s decision whether they like it or not, whether they agree or not. This is how sports work. Drivers (our members) are no different and they fully understand this.”

“Our members are professional pilots competing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsports. They are gladiators and every race weekend they put on a great show for the fans.”

“Regarding swearing, there is a difference between swearing that aims to insult others and worse weather conditions or more casual curses that you can use to describe a lifeless object or a driving situation like a Formula 1 car.”

“We also call on the FIA President to consider his own style and language when talking about our member drivers or in a public forum or otherwise. Also, our members are adults and do not need to be instructed through the media on trivial matters such as wearing jewelry and underwear.”

“GPDA has expressed its opinion countless times that fines given to drivers are not suitable for our sport. Over the past 3 years, we have called on the FIA President to share details and strategy on how the FIA’s financial penalties are allocated and where the funds are spent. We also expressed our concerns about the negative image that financial penalties bring to sports. We once again demand the FIA President to provide financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, Teams and GPDA) must jointly determine how and where to spend money for the benefit of our sport.””GPDA wants to work constructively with all stakeholders, including the FIA President, to develop our great sport in a way that benefits everyone who works for this sport, pays for this sport, watches and truly loves it. We are doing our part.”

“Sincerely,

GPDA Managers and President on behalf of Grand Prix Drivers

RacingUnited for Our Safety, Sport and Fans.”