P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The FIA has massively reduced the fines F1 and other top drivers could get for “misconduct” such as swearing, but introduced the option of grid penalties for “misconduct involving the abuse of officials”
The FIA has significantly reduced fines for “misconduct” in Formula 1 and other top drivers but introduced grid penalties for “misconduct involving abuse of officials”.
Changes to the FIA’s International Sporting Code in 2025 caused tension between the governing body and drivers in F1 and WRC.
New guidelines include multipliers for repeat offences and higher penalties for world championship-level drivers, even race bans are possible.
The first clash happened when WRC’s Adrien Fourmaux was fined for swearing, leading WRC drivers to create their own version of F1’s union.
Meetings between F1 drivers and stewards eased tensions, with further improvements to the guidelines announced by FIA president Ben Sulayem.
The revised rules see halved base fines and suggest championships set their own rates based on circumstances, with specific penalties for misconduct involving officials introduced.
Officials have flexibility in case of first offences, and guidelines distinguish between controlled and uncontrolled environments in terms of conduct.
