FIA slashes penalty fees

The FIA has announced a reduction in penalty fees for driver misconduct, cutting fines by 50 percent following backlash from Formula 1 and World Rally Championship drivers.

The maximum base penalty for misconduct, including swearing, has been lowered from €10,000 to €5,000. Additionally, stewards now have the option to fully suspend a penalty for certain first-time breaches by drivers or teams.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “As a former rally driver, I know first-hand the range of emotions that are faced during competition. I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships, FIA Member Clubs, and other motor sports organisations. The FIA will always be committed to ensuring motor sport is accessible for all our sporting family.”

The updated rules allow stewards to differentiate between “controlled” and “uncontrolled” environments. Controlled environments include media conferences, interviews, and podiums, where penalties for misconduct, such as swearing, remain enforceable. However, swearing during races or other uncontrolled settings, like radio transmissions or rally stage interviews, is less likely to be penalised. 

The base penalty for more severe offences has also been reduced from €40,000 to €20,000. What’s more, the FIA has introduced specific sporting penalties for misconduct involving abuse of officials. For Formula 1 drivers, this can mean a minimum three-place grid drop for the next race or a five-second time penalty during sprint sessions. If a team member commits such an offense, both cars from that team may receive the penalty.

Ronan Morgan, FIA drivers’ committee president, commented: “Drivers are looked up to as role models by young fans and are rightly seen as ambassadors for the wider world of motorsport, how they act really does matter but it is important to recognise that there is a difference between what is said during a race and in a press conference.”

The revised guidelines remove escalating penalties for repeated breaches but increase fines for certain offenses. For example, making and displaying political, religious, or personal statements now attracts an immediate €20,000 fine, double the previous amount.

These changes are expected to bring some relief to the drivers, following months of dissatisfaction and criticism with the original 2025 misconduct rules, which included harsher fines, possible suspensions, and points deductions. Although this latest development does not address all their concerns, it can be viewed as a step in the right direction and could lead to more changes in the future.