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F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says Formula 1 will not prevent drivers from speaking their mind, and adds he believes the FIA will “clarify what has been stated”.
The FIA recently announced they will not allow drivers to give ‘political or personal statements’ at events sanctioned by the governing organization.
This provoked many, mostly negative, reactions from observers, some of whom have accused the FIA of trying to ‘gag’ drivers.
Lewis Hamilton is one of the drivers who has been especially vocal about issues that he is concerned about, like human rights, racism and diversity, so many observers are saying the new rule seems to be targeting him directly.
Several F1 personalities, including former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen, and others, have already expressed their dislike of the decision.
When asked about the situation, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said F1 will not ‘gag’ drivers.
“F1 will never put a gag on anyone,” The Italian told The Guardian.
“Everyone wants to talk, so to have the platform to say what they want in the right way, the better it is.
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“We have a huge opportunity because of the position of our sport which is more and more global, multicultural and multivalued.
“We are talking about 20 drivers, 10 teams and many sponsors, they have different ideas, different views.
“I cannot say one is right, one is wrong but it is right, if needed, to give them a platform to discuss their opinions in an open way.
“We will not change that approach as a sport. That should be the line of our sport, to give everyone the chance to speak in the right way, not with aggressive tones or to offend but with respect.”
Even though the new regulation is not coming from F1, but actually the FIA, Domenicali says he doesn’t believe it is the governing organization’s plan to prevent drivers from speaking their mind.
“We are talking about a regulation and the regulator is the FIA. I believe the FIA will clarify what has been stated, in terms of respecting certain places where you cannot do it,” he continued.
“I am sure the FIA will share the same view as F1 but they are part of an Olympic federation so there are protocols to which they have to abide.”
Domenicali added that Formula 1 is in close contact with the drivers, when it comes to their concerns over this situation.
“We keep monitoring the situation. We keep the drivers informed, we meet with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Associations to discuss it; how we can allow the drivers to be open as human beings in our sport.
“Athletes can be very emotional and passionate about some things and they need to discuss that constructively with people they trust.
“I had a discussion with the drivers about this last year, about how F1 could be a platform, to have a spotlight on certain things we believe are right to talk about.
“F1 should help the drivers if they want to discuss certain subjects. It is important to have a very constructive dialogue.
“If this is not happening it can create either confusion or problems where there need not be problems,” the Italian concluded.
