Topics: FIA, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton
Formula 1 drivers could be set to risk 'points deductions' and ‘bans’ for ‘misconduct’ towards race stewards under strict new rules set to be issued by the FIA.
The new rules have been made public by the sport’s governing body; Appendix B is a particular point of interest in the FIA’s 2025 International Sporting Code.
Previously the section was seen as the FIA’s ‘code of good conduct’ however it has changed to where the penalty guidelines regarding stewards are now explained.
Appendix B is made up of five sections, outlining the penalties for the breaches of Article 12.2.1 of the ISC, which is defined below.
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“Any words, deeds, or writing that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally interest of motorsport on the values defender by the FIA.”
For a driver’s first offence, they will be handed a €10,000. For a second breach, they will be slapped with a €20,000 fine plus a one-month suspension, which is suspended.
Then if article 12.2.1 is breached for a third time, this will result in a €30,000 fine plus a one-month suspension – to be served – alongside deductions of unspecified championship points.
The new guidelines also state that FIA stewards "have the authority to decide what penalty to enforce" and "retain the discretion to take into account any mitigating and/or aggravating circumstances as well as the nature and the location of the event”.
While article 13.7.1 explains “how protests against decisions made by any judges of fact in the exercise of their duties will be inadmissible”.
Of course, this will unlikely go down well with several drivers – namely current world champion Max Verstappen, who was punished by the FIA for swearing at a press conference in September 2024. He referred to a race in Baku, Azerbaijan, as “f****d”.
Less than a day later, he was summoned to the stewards and issued a punishment as his behaviour was deemed to “cause offence".
Even then-Mercedes driver and current Ferrari man Lewis Hamilton admitted that the penalty was “a bit of a joke”.
Fans on social media have weighed in with their thoughts on the new regulations.
One said: "What a joke lmfao."
Another added: "I can’t wait for the FIA to disappear."
A third explained: "That’s ridiculous. If it offends so much then stop broadcasting the team radios. I get it more when it comes to interviews."
While a fourth commented: "That’s exactly why they want the radios to be broadcasted, they want the headline-grabbing drama."
The F1 season is set to get underway in March, with the first race taking place in Melbourne, Australia on the 16th of the month.
