24/02/2025
๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐
๐๐'๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ฐ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ, ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ฌ
In a unified response, World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers have challenged the Fรฉdรฉration Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA) stringent penalties for swearing, following a significant fine imposed on Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux during Rally Sweden.
Earlier this month, Fourmaux received a โฌ10,000 fine, with an additional โฌ20,000 suspended, for using inappropriate language during a live television interview. This incident marked the first enforcement of the FIA's updated 2025 International Sporting Code, which aims to curb the use of profane language in motorsport.
In response, the World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) issued a statement expressing concern over the severity of sanctions for minor and unintentional language infractions (see the full text of the statement below). The drivers emphasised that colloquial expressions should not be equated with genuine insults or aggressive acts. They also highlighted that non-native English speakers might inadvertently use terms without full awareness of their connotations and that the high-adrenaline environment immediately post-stage makes perfect control over emotions challenging.
The statement further questioned the proportionality of the fines, noting that they are vastly disproportionate to the average income and budget in rallying. Additionally, WoRDA called for transparency regarding the allocation of funds collected from these fines, stating that the lack of clarity undermines confidence in the system.
This collective action by WRC drivers mirrors a similar stance taken by Formula 1's Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) last year. The GPDA had criticised the FIA's approach to penalising drivers for swearing, advocating for a more understanding and less punitive approach.
WoRDA has requested direct communication with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to find a mutually agreeable and urgent solution to the issue. The alliance underscores the importance of collaboration to promote and elevate the sport while ensuring that regulations are fair and considerate of the drivers' perspectives.
As the dialogue between the drivers and the FIA continues, the motorsport community awaits potential revisions to the current policies governing language use, aiming for a balance between professionalism and the high-pressure nature of competitive racing.
In support of the drivers' statement, Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team team principal, Jari-Matti Latvala said:
"As a team we stand behind our drivers and co-drivers to support their interests on this matter. We hope strongly for constructive dialogue between the FIA and WoRDA that can result in a positive solution and an ever-better championship."
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Statement of World Rally Drivers Alliance regarding โDriver Misconductโ
The Rally Drivers and Codrivers of WoRDA, inspired by their GPDA colleagues, join together to express their opinion, seek clarity and co-operate towards a brighter future.
First and foremost, we wish to state that, as is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the Refereeโs decision. The respect of this principle is not in question.
We are not all full-time professionals, yet we all face the same extreme conditions with the same relentless passion. Whether navigating through dense forests, across frozen roads in the dead of night, or through the dust of treacherous gravel tracks, we push ourselves to the limit โ against the elements, against the clock, and against our own limits.
Beyond racing, our role has expanded. Today, rally drivers and co-drivers are not only athletes but also entertainers, content creators, and constant media figures. From the smartphones of spectators to the official WRC cameras, we are expected to be available at all times โ before, during, and after competition, from dawn to dusk.
WoRDA has always recognized our responsibilities and commitment to collaborate in a constructive way with all stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote and elevate our outstanding Sport for the benefit of all.
In recent months, however, there has been an alarming increase in the severity of the sanctions imposed for minor, isolated and unintentional language lapses. This has reached an unacceptable level.
We strongly believe that:
โข Common colloquialism cannot be considered and judged as equal to genuine insult or an act of aggression
โข Non mother-tongue speakers may use or repeat terms without full awareness of their meaning and connotation
โข Seconds after an extreme adrenaline spike, it is unrealistic to expect a perfect and systematic control over emotions.
Rally is Extreme: risk level for the athletes, intensity of the focus, length of the daysโฆ all the limits are reached.
In such a case we question the relevance and validity of imposing any sort of penalty. Moreover, the exorbitant fines are vastly disproportionate to the average income and budget in rallying.
We are also concerned with the public impression these excessive sums create in the minds of the fans, suggesting this is an industry where money doesnโt matter.
This also raises a fundamental question: where does the money from these fines go? The lack of transparency only amplifies concerns and undermines confidence in the system.
Surely the negative impressions surrounding these penalties far outweigh the impact of any language lapse.
We call for direct communication and engagement between the FIA President and WoRDA members to find a mutually agreeable and urgent solution.
Sportingly,
The Rally Drivers and Codrivers members of WoRDA
Sebastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanpera, Ott Tanak, Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Jonne Halttunen, Martin Jarveoja, Vincent Landais, Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Grรฉgoire Munster, Louis Louka, Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Martins Sesks, Francis Renars, Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Josh McErlean, Eoin Treacy, Candido Carrera, Gus Greensmith, Jonas Andersson, Yohan Rossel, Arnaud Dunand, Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Leo Rossel, Guillaume Mercoiret, Dani Sordo, Julien Ingrassia
๐ท Image by Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool
brings you the very latest news on rallying around the world โข Compiled by Steve Jones. WRC / ERC / BRC 
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