George Russell won’t ‘limit his views’ because of ‘silly’ FIA ban on ‘unapproved’ statements

George Russell clearly isn't happy with the FIA's ban on unapproved 'political, religious or personal' statements - and called it 'unneccessary' & 'silly'.

George Russell won’t ‘limit his views’ because of ‘silly’ FIA ban on ‘unapproved’ statements

George Russell

The FIA’s decision to ban drivers from making ‘political, personal or religious’ statements without prior permission has been controversial, to say the least. Multiple drivers have now spoken out against it, all expressing their discomfort with it, but also making different points. Lewis Hamilton, who is famously (or infamously) outspoken, outright said that nothing will stop him from ‘speaking on things’ that he is passionate about. His teammate, George Russell, has also weighed in.

Apart from Russell and Hamilton, Sergio Perez, Lando Norris, and Alex Albon spoke against such a ban. Perez said that the drivers do not feel comfortable with the ban (supporting Hamilton’s point that all drivers are aligned on free speech). But he also said that he gets ‘the political side’. Albon showed concern that (with the ban) the FIA seems to be moving away from the sport’s ‘We Race As One’ initiative. Norris felt drivers should be able to say what they want as they’re ‘not in a school’.

Russell, for his own part, feels the ban is ‘unnecessary’. Speaking after the launch of Mercedes’ 2023 F1 challenger, the W14, he commented: “I’m not too sure why the FIA have taken a stance like this, I think it’s totally unnecessary in the sport and the world we live in at the moment. Naturally we are seeking clarification and I trust it will be resolved. I’d like to think it’s been some kind of misunderstanding, but on that I’m not too sure.” as per CRASH.

Read More: Championship-hungry George Russell hopes to put up a ‘fight’ against Max Verstappen

George Russell signs a similar tune to Lewis Hamilton

George Russell (L) and Lewis Hamilton (R)
George Russell (L) and Lewis Hamilton (R)

As mentioned above, Lewis Hamilton was not fazed by the FIA’s new rule, at all. Previously, he also flouted the rule against wearing jewelry in the paddock, by showing up wearing 2 earrings, 3 watches, 4 necklaces, and 8 rings to a press conference for the Miami GP. He was earlier asked to fight the FIA’s new policy by Ali Al-Hajee, a prisoner in Bahrain. Considering his recent statement, if you had to pick the driver most likely to flout the new rule, it would be Hamilton.

George Russell also seems to have taken a similar position to his teammate. It looks like he isn’t keen on following the ‘silly’ new rule, adding that the drivers are ‘all here to have free speech’. The Briton said: “We’re not going to limit our views or our thoughts because of some silly regulation. We’re all here to have free speech and share whatever views we may have.” 

Whether the Mercedes duo do end up breaking the rules on this (which would in and of itself be a statement, apart from the actual statement), time will tell. The drivers may even have something planned as a group, and if they do, one has to wonder about the consequences of such a ‘protest’. As Russell said, the FIA has said that they will clarify the rule, so that’s another thing to look out for.

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