F1 drivers face bans and points deductions if they break FIA ‘misconduct’ rules · RaceFans
The FIA has revealed its guidelines to stewards on how they should punish drivers for actions it regards as “misconduct”.
The governing body has taken the step two months after Formula 1 drivers called for “transparency” over how it used the money raised through fines levied against them for swearing or using offensive language.
The FIA increased the maximum fine stewards could issue to €1 million in 2023. The guidelines issued ahead of the 2025 season detailed tiered fines for drivers at different levels of the FIA’s championship. F1 drivers will pay the most of all.
Last year Yuki Tsunoda was fined €40,000, half of which was suspended, for using an ableist slur while speaking to his team on his radio. The message was not censored by Formula One Management on F1 TV. Charles Leclerc was fined €10,000, again half of which was suspended, for swearing during an FIA press conference in Mexico.
Max Verstappen was ordered to perform public service for the FIA in Rwanda after he swore during the pre-race press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix. A furious Verstappen responded by refusing to speak at length in several following FIA press conferences.
The FIA said the following guideline penalties will be used for future infringements, but noted the stewards have the power to take mitigating or aggravating factors into consideration. The list of penalties includes fines and, for repeated infringements, bans and points deductions.
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FIA guidelines on fines and punishments for driver “misconduct”
| Regulations | First offence | Second offence | Third offence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Article 12.2.1.f ISC: Any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally on the interest of motor sport and on the values defended by the FIA. | €10,000 | €20,000 plus one-month suspension –which is suspended. | €30,000 plus one-month suspension plus deduction of championship points. |
| Article 12.2.1.l ISC: Any Misconduct. Misconduct is defined under Article 20 of the ISC. | €10,000 | €20,000 plus one-month suspension –which is suspended. | €30,000 plus one-month suspension plus deduction of championship points. |
| Article 12.2.1.n ISC: Any public incitement to violence or hatred. | €10,000 | €20,000 plus one-month suspension – which is suspended. | €30,000 plus one-month suspension plus deduction of championship points. |
| Article 12.2.1.o ISC: 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 under its Statutes, unless previously approved in writing by the FIA for International Competitions, or by the relevant ASN for National Competitions within their jurisdiction. | €10,000 plus public apology and repudiation of comments. Fine may be suspended. | €20,000 plus public apology and repudiation of comments plus one month suspension – which is suspended. | €30,000 plus public apology and repudiation of comments plus one month suspension plus deduction of championship points. |
| Article 12.2.1.p ISC: Failure to comply with the instructions of the FIA regarding the appointment and participation of persons during official ceremonies at any competition counting towards a FIA championship. | €15,000 | €30,000 plus suspension of access to Reserved Area(s) of event for next event. | €45,000 plus suspension of access to Reserved Area(s) of event for six months plus deduction of championship points. |
The following multipliers will be applied to the above fines based on which series the incident occurs in:
- Level 1 (International Series): Multiple of one (Article 12.2.1.o is not applicable to International Series)
- Level 2 (FIA regional championships and FIA cups): Multiple of two
- Level 3 (FIA world championships, except FIA Formula 1 World Championship): Multiple of three
- Level 4 (FIA Formula 1 world championship): Multiple of four
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