“Expected even more,” Carlos Sainz takes a dig at FIA’s race ban penalty for 2025

Carlos Sainz does not agree with FIA's newly implemented rule of drivers facing race bans for criticizing the governing body.

“Expected even more,” Carlos Sainz takes a dig at FIA’s race ban penalty for 2025

Carlos Sainz, image via F1

Formula 1 and FIA continue to bring in multiple changes to the sporting code from the 2025 season onwards. The governing body recently enforced tougher regulations against drivers criticizing the sport, with repeated violators facing a race ban. Carlos Sainz took a dig at the newly brought in race ban penalty for the drivers.

Max Verstappen was hit with a community service penalty which was criticized by many. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem highlighted that the governing body always received ‘rubbish’ before implementing the new race ban rule. Now, the new regulations completely ban drivers from using illicit language during races.

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Carlos Sainz made a snarky remark upon FIA’s race ban penalty for the 2025 season. The Spaniard joked that he expected a stricter penalty than a race ban for the drivers’ criticizing the FIA. However, Sainz immediately clarified that he was merely joking and did not agree with the new regulations. Moreover, the 30-year-old insisted that the drivers needed to control their language only during press conferences.

Only a race ban, I expected even more. No, I’m joking. My thoughts are that F1 drivers should be controlled enough doing press conference and media appearances to not swear.

Carlos Sainz told GPblog

Carlos Sainz insists open radio communication a ‘fundamental part’ of F1

Formula 1 drivers face high pressure and adrenaline in the cockpit during races and might not be able to control their frustrations. Carlos Sainz reckoned that drivers showcasing their real emotion and pressure on the team radio was a ‘fundamental part’ of the sport. The 30-year-old believed that as long as the comments were not offensive towards someone, they need not be controlled.

Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz, image via IMAGO

That’s a fundamental part of the sport where you guys get to see the real emotion and real pressure and the real excitement on the voice, sometimes, unfortunately, a vocabulary of a racing driver. As long as it’s not offensive towards anyone and it’s just a swear word, where you just can see I’m being emotional, I don’t think that should be too controlled.

Carlos Sainz noted

Drivers will now have to keep in mind their language as swearing might have dire consequences. The FIA is unlikely to change the rule despite the continuous backlash. Time will tell about how the grid copes with the changing regulations. For now, the priorities lie in starting the 2025 season on a high for all the teams.