An update to the FIA's International Sporting Code means that drivers will now need to obtain written permission before making any form of political statement.

In 2020, with the season already compromised by the pandemic, Lewis Hamilton began wearing T-Shirts sporting the Black Lives Matter logo as the world resonated to the infamous murder of George Floyd.

As more drivers began to follow suit, at the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello, race winner Hamilton stood atop the podium in a T-Shirt which sported the slogan: 'Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor' on the front and 'Say Her Name' on the back in reference to the black woman killed by police earlier in the year.

As a result, the FIA acted and ruled that on the grid and on the podium drivers had to wear their race suits which had to be fastened up to the neck.

Nonetheless, drivers continued to make similar statement on all manner of issues, including diversity, the environment and LGBTQ+ rites.

Sebastian Vettel was censured for wearing a 'rainbow' shirt, sporting the phrase 'Same Love' in Hungary, while he and Hamilton have worn helmets bearing the Pride colours. The four-time world champion has also worn T-shirts promoting environmental causes.

With the sport falling over itself to present a squeaky clean image, the newfound activism of drivers and their teams went down a treat. However, with F1 increasingly visiting countries where their attitude to human rights has been questioned, there were fears of an obvious clash.

Though the likes of Qatar and Saudi Arabia insist that they are not using F1 to 'sports-wash' their image, the fact is that there are various issues on which activists do not agree.

In the latest update to its International Sporting Code, the FIA states: "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."

In other words, before a driver can make any form of statement he will require written permission.

Of course, by essentially painting drivers into a corner it means that anyone who ignored the ruling and went ahead with their protest though facing punishment would attract even greater publicity, and thereby sympathy (or not) for their particular cause.

All of which appears to fly in the face of F1's very own We Race As One declaration, or doesn't that particular case of virtue signalling count?

Many insists that politics has no place in sport, while others claim it is a sign of the times and that sport must play a part in improving people’s lives.

However, if the sport continues to visit countries where there are human rights abuses - and it seems determined to do so - it is merely doing what many have accused certain people of over the recent World Cup, in that they are willing to turn a blind eye as long as the money's right.

On the other hand, while one can point to the obvious culprits in terms of human rights abuse, in all honesty there are very few - if any - countries on the calendar that can honestly claim to having no skeletons in their closets.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 29/12/2022 11:51

"@ancient70!
That's a bit over the top - or is my irony muscle failing?"

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2. Posted by ancient70!, 29/12/2022 8:17

"The right to express your opinion/conviction when and where appropriate, I have no problem with that. What I do have a serious issue with, is having convictions by t-shirt. Then you wonder what is next? A length of rope and a handy tree branch, and justice will be served, right? "

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3. Posted by Spindoctor, 28/12/2022 15:34

"Whilst I can understand the attitudes of those who " want racing, not politics" a sense of proportion is required. During the course of a race weekend the Press conferences & media interviews might make for 10% of the time. The rest is purely track-focused.

Just as (for the most part) I ignore\snigger ironically at the prognostications of Horner, Wolff et al, I can easily deal with the often naive & not insightful opinions of the majority of Drivers. They all have the right to express their views, just as I have the right, for the most part, not to care."

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4. Posted by elsiebc, 24/12/2022 6:50

"I've got a better idea. Instead of not allowing the drivers to speak about what ever they want, just require them to read this thread and other's like it. If they still persist then they are even bigger schmucks than any of us previously imagined."

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5. Posted by kenji, 24/12/2022 1:01

"@ The Stogie....welcome to the exclusive club."

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6. Posted by The stogie, 23/12/2022 19:56

"GREAT news. I want to watch a motor car race NOT a political show. If I want politics I can watch Fox News or CNN where, hopefully, a race won't break out!!"

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7. Posted by kenji, 23/12/2022 12:37

"FIA...Financially Inspired Aspirations. That leaves a bit of wiggle room."

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8. Posted by Max Noble, 23/12/2022 1:30

"For 2023 it looks like Esteemed Editor Balfe will need to open two new sections on PitPass; “Human Rights, and Social Obligations”, and “International Finance for non-Finance Professionals” - I think these are the two growth areas for F1 next season…! :-) …and of course get FIA renamed to “Finest International Arguments” - as they specialise in this, and not motor racing any more!

"

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9. Posted by didaho, 23/12/2022 1:00

"I'm a grown person with convictions based on years of experience and pride myself in rational decision making however I have an autonomic response whenever someone with a profile raises an issue and instantly oppose it as loudly, often and publicly as I'm able to. This tickles the righteous indignation clusters in my amygdala displacing any need for consideration of the issue."

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10. Posted by Defiant, 23/12/2022 0:47

"@kenji, yes, but I'd say that that is just a sugar coated way of saying what I said. Either way, I think it's a slippery slope and I disagree with heading down it.

Don't get me wrong, like you, I'm sick of sports personalities or celebrities thinking that their opinions are worth more than any normal Joe on the street, and forcing said opinion down our throats, and as such I have withheld my participation in a multitude of things precisely because of it. That's my little way of protesting.
"

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11. Posted by kenji, 22/12/2022 23:37

"@ Defiant...good post but I would ask you to consider this. If I have read this correctly the FIA aren't deciding what the drivers/teams think or say...they are simply saying that they can't say it at their race venues during a fully sanctioned F1 event without the sanction from the series owners/promoters/controllers. That is the FIA's prerogative and they are simply saying talk to us if you want to get approval..which may or may not be witheld."

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12. Posted by Defiant, 22/12/2022 18:05

"great article, (I already said that) and also a great debate in the comments.

I despise anyone telling me how to think or act, but freedom is the only way for a civilised society to function. Any encroachment.... no matter how small is a regressive and authoritarian way of living. Sir SJW and misinformed Seb and their types, like Roger Waters and his rants are cringeworthy at best, utterly abhorrent to some but I'm with Max, Raimon, Spindoctor, KKK and stoney on this one. My discomfort at their latest irritating social justice warrior cause is just that and I dont intend on becoming a new Karen/Darren because of it. The FIA can dictate where anyone involved in F1 will work but they shouldn't be able to decide what they think or say. I was clearly born too late, cause I yearn for the days of James Hunt."

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13. Posted by Raimon D., 22/12/2022 14:51

"To ask for justice is a political statement ? To ask to respect Human Rights, is a political statement ? FIA has entered a dangerous road ... "

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14. Posted by kenji, 22/12/2022 11:39

"@ Max...Sounds like......We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl.....I Think Roger has had a bit more than a 'momentary lapse of reason!!! Issues like this latest hoo har only serve to widen the gap between the social change wallahs and the other side of the community who don't appreciate being told how to live their lives. Middle ground is mostly illusive and difficult to achieve, after not doing anything for so long. I'm a 'Time of the Preacher ' sort of guy ATM I mean who can forget the "Edge of Darkness' drunken duet...with Bob Peck and Joe Don Baker. Rumour has it that the 1846 Colt45 was also known as 'the preacher'. Rather apt.

Wouldn't it just go down as a treat if we were to get 24hrs respite from the social pests who make life a misery. Everyone is a victim...."

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15. Posted by Max Noble, 22/12/2022 8:17

"@Kenji - The realm of social interaction is so complex! Amusingly I’ve just put on “Wish you were here” for the first time in a very long time, and “Have a Cigar” is playing as I type this which is the universe at it’s most ironic. I think allowing more freedom than you suggest, yet not total anarchy, is a supportable middle ground. We all at work around the coffee machine or water cooler have our moments of “Did you see XX, YY? I fully support/deny/refuse this issue.” BUT that is different to using company headed note paper, and company LinkedIN feeds to push personal beliefs… a practice most mature companies ban.

I was a consultant to Telstra (for those outside Australia, the National telecoms company until it was privatised, and the market opened up to competition…) in the 1990’s when they were retrenching thousands of staff. We were explicitly briefed on not saying a dang word to the 10,000 reporters hanging around outside HQ each evening as we left work.

A gag? Yes. Justified as our individual opinions on a serious business matter were not useful? Yes.

So Liberty Media, as the effective employer of all the drivers, does have reasonable grounds to say “While you are operating within our environment, kindly keep your mouth shut.”

…and in the interests of liberal democracy (remember those…?) the drivers have a right to say, “Given a chance to speak, I shall speak…”

It is a beautiful dance!

"

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Sporting Code update to see drivers gagged?

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