Brundle voices approval for strict FIA driver sanctions

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has stated he is in favour of the new deterrents in place for drivers regarding matters such as swearing and speaking out against the FIA.

Earlier this week it was revealed the FIA had updated its International Sporting Code which included new powers to punish drivers going forward.

The penalties can come for a variety of instances, including the use of words that cause “moral loss” to the FIA and making political, personal or religious statements without approval from the governing body.

The regulations outline that a first offence would result in a fine, however this can escalate to race bans and a deduction of championship points for repeat occurrences of the same rule breach.

Speaking to Sky F1, Brundle drew a comparison to the respect shown by rugby players to the referee during a match.

“I think we’re role models, F1 drivers are role models,” he stated.

“You don’t need to gratuitously swear in a press conference, in the heat of the moment, in the car, full of adrenaline, full of despair, happiness, whatever – I get it completely.

“I don’t personally, it doesn’t feel right to me. What I love about rugby is how they respect the referee, and I think F1 should be the same.”

Brundle recalls ‘stupid idiot’ Verstappen remark

Max Verstappen was issued community service last year after swearing during an FIA press conference, which he carried out post-season at the FIA prize-giving gala from Rwanda.

The four-time champion dismissed the significance of his remark and took issue with the sanction imposed on him.

However, he did not receive a punishment in Abu Dhabi for calling the stewards “stupid idiots” after being handed a 10-second time penalty for colliding with Oscar Piastri.

Brundle highlighted Verstappen’s in-race comment at the final race of the year as an example of going beyond what should be deemed acceptable.

“You’re role models for all the drivers coming through,” he said. 

“So if you’re dirty on track, or you’re cheating the track limits, or calling the FIA stewards ‘stupid idiots’ to give you one example.

“There are degrees of this and how heavy-handed you want to be is a whole new story.

“But I don’t mind there being some rules for our F1 drivers who are great kids, being role models. I’m calm with that.”