Team leaders support the FIA regarding penalties for swearing.

      Two Formula 1 team leaders have minimized the backlash regarding heightened penalties for driver misconduct, such as using foul language. Alex Wurz, head of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, expressed his dissatisfaction with the FIA's introduction of these drastic penalties—potentially reaching six-figure fines or month-long suspensions—without prior discussion. "We learned about this through the media," the Austrian remarked.

      Wurz does not dismiss the possibility of sending another strongly worded letter on behalf of the F1 driver union, but he acknowledges some merit in enforcing rules against swearing. "Ultimately, I'm also a father, and it's best not to swear," he noted. "However, it's not solely about swearing. We all recognize that we need to serve as role models. None of these top 20 athletes are true rebels looking to curse and shout."

      Wurz proposed that F1 officials could simply employ the "bleep button" to eliminate inappropriate language from broadcasts; McLaren CEO Zak Brown agrees with this approach. "Overall, I support this," Brown stated when questioned about the FIA’s controversial new penalties. "Yet, there are various circumstances. In a press conference or similar situations, there’s no reason to swear. However, during intense moments, a driver might curse under his helmet, which is a different issue. Delaying the live feed by seven seconds allows us to prevent any unsuitable content from being aired."

      Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also concurs with Brown and Wurz that F1 drivers must act as role models. "Drivers are role models," he commented. "We carry a responsibility to ensure that our sport remains respectful and inspirational for future generations. I believe we want to see emotions during races, and there are ways to express them appropriately. Additionally, we owe it to all spectators to uphold certain standards. In this regard, I think any initiative aimed at mitigating inappropriate language is beneficial; if we can reduce some of the offensive swearing, that’s a positive step," Wolff added.