Over the years, the FIA has gradually restricted drivers in an attempt to control the sport’s image. From limiting political statements to policing radio communications, the governing body has left little room for controversy. While F1 thrives on drama and rivalries, the FIA has made consistent efforts to curb that part of the sport, which has frustrated both fans and drivers.

One of the more recent efforts has been its censorship of profanity. Team radios, which were once a raw and entertaining insight into driver emotions, now face significant censorship. Even when cuss words make it through, broadcasters often bleep them out, depriving fans of a genuine look at the intense emotions.

This trend of restriction peaked last season when officials penalized Max Verstappen for profanity during a press conference. Now in 2025, the FIA appears set to take this even further with stricter penalties.

Ben Sulayem suggests cutting off live radios in F1

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been vocal about wanting to maintain a level of decorum within the sport. In a recent interview, he floated the idea of shutting down live team radios as a way to curb profanity and potentially inappropriate comments from drivers.

“Do we go on and then shut down the radios of live communication? Maybe. Do we delay it? Maybe,” Ben Sulayem stated in an interview shared by Soy Motor. “There is a lot of things that we will work [on] with our promoter… We [are] still the owners of the Championship.”

These comments hint at the FIA taking direct control over how and when fans get to hear team radio exchanges, possibly leading to delayed broadcasts or selective censorship. Given how crucial ‘in-the-moment reactions’ are for fan engagement, such a move could drastically reshape the F1 experience.

This approach follows the controversial punishment Red Bull’s Max Verstappen received last season when officials assigned him community service hours for swearing in an official press conference. The FIA’s harsh stance sparked backlash, with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) issuing a statement defending Verstappen while also pointing out inconsistencies in the governing body’s behavior.

With tensions already brewing between the drivers and the FIA, this latest development could escalate friction ahead of the 2025 season.

Harsh penalties for profanity and “moral injury” in F1

The FIA’s updated sporting code has introduced a whole new level of penalties for drivers who use offensive language or conduct themselves in an inappropriate manner.

The revised Article 12 now explicitly lists “misconduct” as a punishable offense, covering offensive language, gestures, or any behavior that could be considered abusive or insulting. The penalties for such infractions are severe :

• First offense: €10,000 base fine (multiplied by 4 for F1 drivers, making it €40,000)
• Second offense: €20,000 (€80,000 for F1) and a one-month suspension
• Third offense: €30,000 (€120,000 for F1) plus a one-month suspension and deduction of Championship points

Beyond just profanity, these rules extend to any behavior that could cause “moral injury or loss to the FIA,” including public criticism of the governing body.

Another major addition to the regulations involves stricter consequences for failing to comply with FIA guidelines at official ceremonies. Drivers can be fined anywhere between €15,000 and €45,000 for not following instructions, with repeat offenses leading to bans from paddock areas or even extended suspensions.

The FIA’s authoritarian push for control over driver conduct has already sparked concerns about whether such restrictions will change the sport from what it is. With the 2025 season fast approaching, it remains to be seen how drivers will respond to these new restrictions. If the backlash from Verstappen’s penalty was any indication, the FIA may find itself facing increasing resistance from the grid. And with tensions already simmering, it could be only a matter of time before another controversy erupts. So what do you think? Should the FIA go this route for the sake of “decorum”? Do let us know in the comments.