Oscar Piastri savages Formula 1 changes to swearing rules & fines

Oscar Piastri has added his voice to the growing backlash surrounding a controversial change by F1’s governing body.

2 min read

March 3, 2025 - 3:35PM

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Australian Formula 1 star Oscar Piastri has hit out at the FIA over changes to the guidelines for swearing ahead of the 2025 season.

The governing body of motorsport released an updated version of their regulations that focused strongly on swearing and other sporting code violations.

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Effectively the changes mean F1 stars will face race bans and fines of more than $200,000 if they are caught repeatedly using obscene language.

The move by the FIA was implemented to try and curtail swear words being blasted over team radios and onto broadcasts.

It means drivers will face a $66,896 fine for a first offence, $133,791 for a second infringement and a staggering $200,687 for a third offence in a two-year period.

The changes have not been met well with Piastri, 23, the latest to hit out in an exclusive interview with Code Sports.

Piastri isn’t happy with the FIA changes. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

“The fines are quite harsh, so I think that is something that we would like to discuss with the FIA,” Piastri 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 Aussie said the governing body simply couldn’t expect drivers to not express themselves to their teams in the midst of racing battles.

Piastri isn’t on board with the change. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/Getty Images)

Fellow Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg echoed a similar sentiment to Piastri in questioning why the FIA felt the need to implement the change.

“I’m a bit surprised and honestly don’t quite understand why we need this rule, why it was necessary,” Hulkenberg told Motorsport-Magazin.com.

“I’m curious to see how the FIA intends to implement this rule, even if someone criticises it. The way this rule is formulated is very broad.”

The guideline change spells potentially troublesome news for Max Verstappen after he used a profanity during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix last year.

Verstappen won’t be happy with the FIA’s moves. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

The four-time F1 world champion threatened to leave the sport last year because of his displeasure with the way the FIA are running the sport.

“I mean, these kinds of things definitely decide my future as well. When you can’t be yourself, you have to deal with these kinds of silly things,” he said in September.

“Now I’m at a stage of my career that I don’t want to be dealing with this all the time. It’s really tiring.”

The implementation of the new changes will take effect when the Formula 1 paddock lands in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix.

The opening race of the season is set to take place at Albert Park on March 16 with Piastri tipped to not only reign supreme at his home race, but push for the F1 crown in 2025.