P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association has hit back at the FIA president and has highlighted a number of concerns.
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, representing all current F1 drivers, has issued a statement to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem citing concerns, notably on recent penalties for swearing, which were questioned by Ben Sulayem. Max Verstappen was given a community service-type penalty for swearing at a media conference in Singapore, whereas Charles Leclerc faced a €10,000 fine in Mexico, part of which is deferred for a year. The GPDA urged the FIA President to review his communication style, pointing out that drivers are adults and need no guidance on trivial matters, and emphasized the need for transparency on where fine money goes. These issues were discussed in Mexico with a statement now released by the drivers, underlining the importance of abiding by referee decisions in sports. The GPDA stresses that F1 drivers are professionals who understand their responsibilities and role as entertainers, suggesting a distinction between swearing with intent to harm and casual swearing. Furthermore, the statement called for a collaborative approach to improving the sport and addressing concerns around financial fines.
