FIA President makes a plea to the FOM: 'Swearing must be reduced'
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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has spoken out over the controversy surrounding Formula 1 drivers swearing over the team radio during a Grand Prix. He believes that the driver must set an example, and should use cleaner language. Nevertheless, he notes that Formula One Management is also responsible. He asked for less swearing from the drivers to be broadcasted.
Ben Sulayem: 'We're not rappers'
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem explains: "I mean, 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]," the FIA president said.
As someone who has previosuly raced in the Middle East, Sulayem understands that drivers are sometimes frustrated. "I know, I was a driver,” he pointed out. "In the heat of the moment, when you think you are upset because another driver came to you and pushed you," Ben Sulayem said. "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 concluded.
Formula One Management have already been informed that broadcasts should contain less swearing, and acknowledged that they have already started to reduce what is broadcasted. "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."
This article was written in collaboration with Jeroen Immink.