“Told to shut our mouth,” Rallying legend joins Max Verstappen in protesting against the FIA over swear ban

Sebastien Ogier joined the team of people protesting against FIA's swear ban after penalizing Max Verstappen at the Singapore GP.

“Told to shut our mouth,” Rallying legend joins Max Verstappen in protesting against the FIA over swear ban

Sebastien Ogier (via L'Alsace) and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

FIA’s recent decision to ban swearing and penalize Max Verstappen caused massive backlash from most people. Drivers and team principals decided to comment against the rule change by FIA. Amidst the sea of people speaking against the governing body’s antics, Rallying legend Sebastien Ogier also joined the same boat.

Max Verstappen received community service as a penalty following his swearing during the Singapore press conference. The 26-year-old claimed that multiple drivers laughed at the surprising penalty. Sebastien Ogier, an eight-time champion didn’t hold back from berating the new rule from the FIA. The Rally legend was recently penalized for his comments containing abuses by the end of his race.

Ogier noted that he didn’t feel like talking that day and apologized for his reactions much like Verstappen. However, the former further claimed that his reaction was due to some of the top people of FIA asking him to shut his mouth. The Frenchman labeled the entire situation as ‘sad’ following his penalty of $33k for his words.

FS Video

Today I don’t feel like I want to talk and like I say I am sorry for all the people that deserve better than that, but we have been told by the top of the FIA to shut our mouths so it is a bit sad.

Sebastien Ogier told RallyTV
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Sebastien Ogier reassured he had no ‘personal grudges’ against the interviewers

Sebastien Ogier wasn’t happy with his petty behavior during interviews similar to Max Verstappen. However, such a reaction was necessary from the drivers to make the FIA reconsider their decision. Hence, Ogier highlighted that he had no personal grudges against the interviewers and further apologized for his behavior.

It is not a fantastic reaction to do what I do and it is not personal against you [the interviewer] and for the fans I am sorry about it but we have very little tools we can use.

Sebastien Ogier added
Sebastien Ogier
Sebastien Ogier (Via: ACI No 1)

Mohammed Ben Sulayem and FIA have already faced a lot of backlash over the decision to ban abusive language. The governing body faces intense pressure to make changes to the rule as the president rushes to look into the matter. Time will tell about how the body responds to these comments from the people of the sport

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