LONDON – Formula One will never gag anyone, chief executive Stefano Domenicali has stated in response to a pre-season controversy between the governing FIA and drivers over “political” statements and freedom of speech.
The Italian, who represents US-based commercial rights holders Liberty Media, told The Guardian newspaper that he also expected the sport’s Paris-based governing body to clarify its position.
The FIA updated its International Sporting Code last December with a clause requiring written earlier permission for drivers to make or display “political, religious and personal statements or comments” at races.
The move has been condemned by rights groups and criticised by drivers, who have spoken of their unhappiness and uncertainty.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, Williams’ Alex Albon and Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu have all said that they should be given the right to speak freely.
The FIA’s clampdown comes after drivers, including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and the recently retired Sebastian Vettel, spoke out on issues such as racism, diversity and the environment in recent seasons.
In 2020, F1 launched the “We Race as One” campaign to combat inequality and increase sustainability.
“We are very much for the We Race as One (initiative), and it seems as though the FIA are moving away from that,” said Albon.
Domenicali believes there is some sort of misunderstanding.
“F1 will never put a gag on anyone,” he said. “Everyone wants to talk, so to have the platform to say what they want in the right way the better it is.
“We have a huge opportunity because of the position of our sport which is more and more global, multi-cultural and multi-valued.
“We are talking about 20 drivers, 10 teams and many sponsors, they have different ideas, different views.
“I cannot say one is right, one is wrong but it is right, if needed, to give them a platform to discuss their opinions in an open way.
“We will not change that approach as a sport. That should be the line of our sport, to give everyone the chance to speak in the right way, not with aggressive tones or to offend but with respect.”
The FIA, whose president is Mohammed Ben Sulayem of the United Arab Emirates, said in December that the update was “in alignment with the political neutrality of sport” as enshrined in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) code of ethics.
The FIA was awarded full recognition status by the IOC in 2013.
“I am sure the FIA will share the same view as F1, but they are part of an Olympic federation so there are protocols to which they have to abide.” REUTERS, AFP
