“Seb going to unretire just to break this rule” – F1 fans furious over FIA’s ban on drivers making ‘political statements’ without permission
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Fans are enraged as FIA bans drivers from making 'political statements'
Formula 1 is a global sport, with teams and drivers racing across the world. As such, the F1 calendar includes countries from various histories and cultures, some of them however could be problematic. The sport and the FIA have signed massive long-term deals with countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. A pair that is infamous for severe human rights violations. Thus drivers resorted to showcasing their disapproval or raising their voices through symbolic means.
But this is what the FIA has decided to put a stop on. With the recent updates to its International Sporting Code, the sport’s governing body has banned drivers from any ‘political statements’ without prior permission. This update bans “the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA.” Hinting at a zero-tolerance policy in all FIA-governed sports including F1.
There still lies a provision for making such a statement. However, F1 drivers will require, “previously approved in writing by the FIA for International Competitions, or by the relevant ASN for National Competitions within their jurisdiction.” This of course is not an easy task, As the sporting body has tried to discourage drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton from symbolizing their opinion through the means of Formula 1.
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F1 fans disappointed with the FIA
As this news got on Reddit, users were quick to voice their opinion against this ruling by the FIA. One user mentioned how Sebastian Vettel would come back to F1 just to violate this regulation and make a statement. The fan stated, “Watch Seb going to unretire just to break this rule”. While another user hoped for Lewis Hamilton to go against this rule at every opportunity. The user replied, “I pray Lewis makes even more political statements and pays all the fines.”
Fans also expressed their dissatisfaction toward the FIA for following in the footsteps of FIFA. One fan mocked the body’s President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem and commented, “FIFA: bans political statements on pitch. Mohammed Ben Sulayem: Write that down!” While another user mentioned the concerning influence of Saudi Oil money in the sport. The fan wrote, “New policy from Aramco just dropped.”
This decision was certainly taken while keeping the monetary interests as a priority rather than humanity. It is shameful to look at a massive sports governing body bending in for authoritarian regimes while ignoring the needs of millions or even the voice of its drivers. The FIA cannot sustain this approach for long. Things must change, and we the fans need to be at the center of it. If drivers and the fans continue to use our voices, one day this will have to come to an end.
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Armaan Agarwal
(2310 Articles Published)