Riders will not be fined for swearing in radio conversations

      Changes to the FIA sports code for 2025, as a result of which Formula 1 drivers will begin to receive significant fines, as well as disqualifications and deductions of points from personal scoring for using profanity, have become one of the main topics of discussion in the past offseason.

      This topic was raised at a drivers' briefing in Melbourne on Friday, during which FIA steward Harry Connelly explained how the new rules would be applied.

      It turned out that radio conversations between riders and teams during races are not subject to the new rules, and the focus will be on the use of profanity by riders during press conferences and other official events.

      The FIA considers radio conversations between the driver and the team to be "private", despite the fact that some of them are broadcast on television. However, the FIA stressed that any abuses against the stewards, race director or any other officials in radio conversations will be investigated and the driver may be fined.

      At the briefing, the riders were also reminded that the amount of any fine remains at the discretion of the stewards and does not have to be as high as prescribed in the regulations.