F1 CEO promises free speech for drivers and sets meeting with GPDA
Feb.8 - Formula 1 will not "gag" its race drivers in 2023, the sport's CEO Stefano Domenicali insists.
In recent days and weeks, drivers and team bosses have been speaking out about controversial FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's new guidelines against political speech and gestures.
"We were supportive of the We Race As One initiative but it looks like they're moving away from that now," Williams driver Alex Albon said.
Alexander Albon at the drivers parade 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
"Clearly we need clarity from the FIA on what they are trying to tell us, because of course we have to be able to speak freely to some extent."
Red Bull boss Christian Horner, meanwhile, agrees with Ben Sulayem that F1 shouldn't be used "as a political tool", but added: "We certainly don't want a bunch of robots in the cars with no opinions about anything."
The issue is highlighting a widening rift between the FIA, the drivers and Liberty Media-owned F1 - but the latter's CEO Domenicali is playing down the driver "gay".
"F1 will never put a gag on anyone," he told the Guardian.
"Everyone wants to talk so to have the platform to say what they want in the right way the better it is. We will not change that approach as a sport."
The Italian said he will meet with the Grand Prix Drivers' Association about the issue but also push for the FIA to "clarify" its new stance about speech.
"We are talking about a regulation and the regulator is the FIA," said Domenicali.
"I believe the FIA will clarify what has been stated in terms of respecting certain places where you cannot do it."
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Who’s this gay driver who won’t be gagged?
So does this mean free speech everywhere except Saudi where they are ruled by m-r-d- -ing b-st.
C’mon Williams give Jamie Chadwick a seat in Saudi.
I don't know how much Aramco pays for the trackside sponsorship p/a or for the beach race fees in Sandland, but it'll be a fair bit p/a in Liberty accounts, on a slightly different note its only "NOW" that Merc are stopping the sales of cars in Putin Land which i thought was interesting
Funny thought. What if the FIA simply tells F1 that they will no longer sanction their races? Let's amp up this sillyass controversy.
Don't worry Ror, Now you have a fellow American at the Helm of the Fia , all is well again
I know he lives in The US (some of the time) but he’s not actually American. He’s a Stevenegeian. You should know that being his no1 fan Stroppy.
By the way it’s just come to my attention that Jamie Chadwick is a bit of a doll, I might have to transfer my attentions from Emma to Jamie, got any spare posters?
Bemused by your statement, American/Not American Who? because I was referring to the new Ceo of Fia, not some Cry Baby called Louise, as for Jamie , a shame she lacks the super licence points though eh
Sorry Stropp, it’s Ror’s fault
They would go their own way, New circuits, new support series, Bankrupt FIA. But, not in anybody’s interest .
It would take some one with a huge popular following and enormous skill ably supported by the thinking mans crumpet to sort out the mess. Any suggestions?
Yes, bring back Masi,, the only sensible choice.
You just like trouble, he’s Australian she’s a New Zealander and don’t forget those loyalty tats.
Correction
An incompetent Australian.
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