F1 in chaos as drivers unite over Max Verstappen, FIA problem

A war has begun in F1 with drivers taking the radical step of uniting against their governing body and one man in particular.

Formula One drivers on Friday (AEDT) blasted the “tone and language” used by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem amid a row over swearing at press conferences.

In an open letter, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) also demanded that competitors be treated like adults.

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Several drivers, including three-time world champion Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Monaco’s Charles Leclerc, were recently sanctioned by the FIA for swearing at a press conference.

And Ben Sulayem has spoken out in favour of measures to ensure drivers no longer use foul language.

On Thursday, the GPDA hit back with a letter posted on social media regarding ‘Driver Misconduct’.

Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President, is the target of the drivers’ statement. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

“There is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as an F1 car, or a driving situation,” the letter read.

“We urge the FIA president to consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise.

“Further, our members are adults. They do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery or underpants.”

Craig Slater discusses the The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) statement calling out FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in response to Formula 1's recent swearing saga ✍️ pic.twitter.com/Dv0nGUIW1P

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 7, 2024

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has clashed with FIA bosses for wearing jewellery at races, with the governing body also reminding drivers of the need to wear flame-resistant underwear.

The GPDA also stressed its opposition to financial sanctions against drivers and called on Ben Sulayem to clarify how they are imposed and how their proceeds are used.

“The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that Driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our Sport. For the past 3 years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA’s financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent,” the GPDA added.

F1 drivers have united against the FIA.

“We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the Sport. We once again request that the FIA President provides financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us.

“All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the Teams, and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our Sport.

“The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great Sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it. We are playing our part,” the statement concluded.

Relations between Ben Sulayem, team bosses and drivers have deteriorated in recent months.

The FIA president was accused at the start of the year of trying to derail the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix and influence the results of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix the same year.

In both cases, the Emirati was cleared by the FIA Ethics Committee.

Max Verstappen was recently fined for swearing at his car. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Bortoleto to race for Sauber after Bottas, Zhou leave

Meanwhile, Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will race for Sauber in Formula One from next year, the team said Wednesday while also confirming the departures of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

McLaren junior Bortoleto will team up with the more experienced Nico Hulkenberg, aged 37, in 2025.

The 20-year-old Bortoleto currently tops the F2 standings.

“This is one of the exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all sports,” Sauber, which will become the Audi entry in 2026, quoted him as saying.

“Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honour.” Bottas and Zhou are set to depart at the end of the season after neither registered a point in the driver’s championship this campaign so far.

“After open and constructive discussions with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, we mutually concluded that conditions to continue together could not be met so we agreed that it is time to part ways,” Sauber said.

“We would like to thank both for the contribution they have made to the team in the last three years.

“They have been the embodiment of professionalism, using their experience and enthusiasm to support our growth.” It is unclear what the future holds for the 35-year-old Finn Bottas, a former Williams and Mercedes driver, and the 25-year-old Zhou.

Last month, Bottas said he would consider returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver next year if he was not retained by Sauber.

Sauber had made Zhou China’s first Formula One driver.

“Sadly the last two seasons have been challenging for all, but I want to look forward,” Zhou said in a statement Wednesday.

He added: “I am now discussing a number of options to stay in the Formula One paddock.”