FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says he is considering “improvements” to the widely criticised rules on driver misconduct which were introduced earlier this year.
Competitors from Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship have spoken out against the rules, which stipulate five-figure fines for a variety of misdemeanours such as swearing. Ben Sulayem said he has consulted drivers across a range of disciplines.
“Following constructive feedback from drivers across our seven FIA world championships, I am considering making improvements to Appendix B,” said Ben Sulayem in a statement on social media. “As a former rally driver, I understand the demands they face better than most.”
Rally driver Adrien Fourmaux was the first person to be penalised under the regulations earlier this year. In response, he and his fellow competitors formed an organisation styled on F1’s Grand Prix Drivers’ Association and refused to answer questions at last month’s Safari Rally in Kenya.
However the FIA stewards chose not to investigate Carlos Sainz Jnr over swearing in a press conference at the Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this month. They pointed out he apologised afterwards.
Ben Sulayem said he still believes the regulations are necessary but is prepared to modify them.
“Appendix B is a key part of the International Sporting Code and is central in helping keep the sport accessible for all our sporting family,” he said.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
“Humans make the rules and humans can improve the rules. This principle of continuous improvement is something I have always believed in and is at the heart of all we do at the FIA.”
“By listening to one another and working collaboratively, we continue to drive a positive future for the sport we all care so deeply about,” he added.
Ben Sulayem spoke to Max Verstappen immediately after the last F1 round in Jeddah, where the world champion was penalised for an incident during the race. Afterwards Verstappen cut short his post-race interview, then said in the official FIA press conference he could not express his opinions under the current rules.
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
