Last month, the FIA introduced stricter rules on driver language, aiming to crack down on swearing and inappropriate comments during race weekends. The new Sporting Code includes tougher penalties, with fines reaching up to €120,000, championship points deductions, and even race bans for repeat offenders.

The first driver to be punished under these rules was WRC driver Adrien Fourmaux at Rally Sweden. He was fined €10,000, with an additional €20,000 suspended fine, for using the F-word in a TV interview. He wasn’t insulting anyone but was simply expressing frustration about a previous stage. However, the FIA still considered it inappropriate and took action.

In Formula 1, where fines are even higher, there has been no official response from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) yet. However, Williams driver Carlos Sainz has spoken out against these strict rules, especially when it comes to team radio communication. While he agrees that drivers should behave professionally in press conferences, he believes the FIA should not go too far in controlling what is said in the heat of the moment during a race.

“F1 drivers should be controlled enough during press conferences and media appearances not to swear,” said Sainz quoted by Motorsport.com.

“I am in favor of making an effort as a group—when kids are watching us in front of the media—to maintain good behavior and decent vocabulary.

“So, do we need fines or some level of control? Maybe. But I believe we should strive to be well-mannered without the need for extreme measures.”

However, Sainz thinks limiting radio messages is a step too far. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has even hinted at reducing live team radio broadcasts, something Sainz believes would take away an important part of the sport.

“Yes, I think the FIA is going too far with bans and penalties for radio communication. That’s a fundamental part of the sport. Fans get to hear the real emotion, the real pressure, and the real excitement in a driver’s voice,” he explained

“As long as it’s not offensive towards anyone and it’s just a swear word in the heat of the moment, I don’t think that should be too controlled. Otherwise, you lose a key part of what makes F1 authentic.”

He also compared F1 to other sports, where emotional outbursts are common and accepted.

“Trust me, you wouldn’t want to put a microphone inside a football pitch and hear what players are saying—it’s an equivalent situation,” he said.

“We are already very limited in what we can say about our teams and strategies. If we start censoring emotional reactions on the radio, F1 will lose part of its identity.”

For Sainz, professionalism in official media settings is important, but restricting in-race communication could harm the sport.

“Sometimes, I’m not easy on the radio, but that passion, that emotion, that’s something we should keep in F1. Swearing in the heat of the moment shouldn’t be something we get rid of—it’s part of the sport.”