FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has taken a firm stance on the issue of expletive language in Formula 1 broadcasts, calling for drivers to monitor their language during races to ensure motorsport remains distinct from other genres, such as rap music. “We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music. We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us],” Ben Sulayem stated openly.
Concerns about the prevalence of expletive language in F1 broadcasts have been a recurring topic at World Motor Sport Council meetings. In response, the FIA has requested that Formula One Management (FOM) work to minimize the airing of such language to maintain the sport’s family-friendly image.
Drawing on his experience as a former driver, Ben Sulayem shared his understanding of the intensity felt during races but stressed the necessity of responsible behavior. “I know, I was a driver. In the heat of the moment, when you think you are upset because another driver came to you and pushed you… When I used to drive in the dust [and something like that happened], I would get upset. But also, we have to be careful with our conduct. We need to be responsible people,” he reflected. He further emphasized the importance of considering audiences of all ages: “Imagine you are sitting with your children and watching the race and then someone is saying all of this dirty language. I mean, what would your children or grandchildren say? What would you teach them if that is your sport?”
In light of these concerns, the FIA has implemented stricter regulations concerning team radio language. Although the organization previously approved more radio communication being aired on broadcasts, it now recognizes the imperative need for rules that benefit the sport. “We are the ones who actually approved more [radio] talk [on the TV broadcast]. But we have rules, and the rules are there for the benefit of the sport and the rules are there to be policed and to be respected also,” Ben Sulayem noted.
Ben Sulayem also drew attention to how negative speech by drivers can lead to an increase in online abuse directed at officials. He articulated the necessity for evolving rules to maintain the integrity of the sport: “The rules are not there only to stay the same for 30 years. You have to improve, to change, to remove and to add a lot of things. And I don’t do this. We have committees, they study it.”
The ethics and neutrality concerning language in the International Sporting Code have been in place since 1972. Ben Sulayem pointed out this long-standing standard to highlight its continuous relevance: “I didn’t write it, this had to do with the ethics and neutrality of speech. But did you know we had it from 1972? Nobody knew! From ’72!”
Speaking to the broader responsibility of drivers while representing the sport internationally, Ben Sulayem stated, “You cannot go to a country and abuse a country. Because they pay all of this money. If you don’t like it [there], don’t go. If you take a license from the FIA, you have to respect the source that is giving you the licence.”
Despite these strict guidelines, Ben Sulayem expressed satisfaction with the drivers and promoters, urging them to continue their pursuits while adhering to ethical standards: “We are happy with the drivers. Go and have fun. Do what you do best and race. And we are happy with the promoter. Go and make money. And more money. But also, we have to respect the sport.”
Bringing his 40 years of experience to the forefront, Ben Sulayem shared his vision for the sport, aiming to instill ethics, balance, fairness, and clarity. Although he acknowledged the difficulty of this responsibility, he remained optimistic about its feasibility, saying, “I try with my background and 40 years of experience to bring also ethics to it, and to bring balance and fairness and clearness. And that is a very, very hard responsibility. But, it’s doable.”
