Oscar Piastri: ‘They can’t be expecting us to say absolutely nothing when we are in the car’

Formula 1 drivers could cop massive fines for using obscene language under a swearing ban being introduced at the Melbourne Grand Prix. Australia’s Oscar Piastri says the penalties are too harsh.

Aussie Formula One star Oscar Piastri has hit out at a contentious new driver swearing ban that will come into play for the first time at this month’s Melbourne Grand Prix.

F1 stars face race bans and fines of more than $200,000 if they are caught repeatedly using obscene language, in a bid to stop swear words blaring over team radios and on to live TV broadcasts.

Drivers face a $66,896 fine for a first offence and whopping $133,791 and $200,687 second and third infringements in a two-year period, under revised “misconduct” guidelines issued by the sport’s governing body, the FIA.

In an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun, Melbourne-born and bred Piastri said the size of the fines was too high and hinted drivers would rally against them.

Oscar Piastri has hit out at the contentious swearing ban. Picture: Getty

“The fines are quite harsh, so I think that is something that we would like to discuss with the FIA,” he said.

“But I think, at the same time, they can’t be expecting us to say absolutely nothing when we are in the car.

“We are full of adrenaline. We are first and foremost speaking to our team.”

The most serious penalties under the guidelines can lead to suspension from races for up to a month and deduction of championship points, in addition to fines.

The rules will be put to the test for the first time at Melbourne’s season-opening Grand Prix from March 13-16.

F1 drivers are among the biggest earners in world sport, with world champion Max Verstappen pocketing a $120m salary last year and boasting a net worth estimated at $322m thanks to endorsements.

The rules will be put to the test for the first time at Melbourne’s season-opening Grand Prix. Picture: AFP

But Piastri, 23, said there needed to be a balance between drivers treating each other with respect and the reality of racing at speeds of up to 370km/h.

“Yes, of course it gets broadcast, but we are speaking to our team,’’ he said.

“And I think there is still a point to being respectful to people.

“Outside of the car it’s completely fair to expect us not to swear, I think that is just how society runs.’’

Verstappen was slapped with a community service penalty for swearing during a press conference at last year’s Singapore Grand Prix.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fined more than $16,700 after swearing during a press conference at the Mexican Grand Prix, with half the penalty suspended for a year.

The new fines, handed out at the discretion of stewards, will also apply to “any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally on the interest of motorsport”.

Piastri is just the 15th Aussie to line up on the grid for an F1 race and enters his home Grand Prix as a genuine contender.