Drivers competing in the World Rally Championship will stay silent or speak only in their own languages in stage-end interviews at this week's Kenya Safari Rally in protest at the governing FIA's ban on swearing.
The World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) said on Wednesday the action was necessary in the sport's interest.
“We apologise to the rally fans, though we know they support us,” it added.
There was no immediate comment from the FIA.
Hyundai's French driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 (R197,564) with a further €20,000 (R395,251) suspended for swearing in a TV interview at the end of Rally Sweden in February.
The fine was the first since amendments to the FIA sporting code in January set out stiff sanctions for drivers who break the rules concerning conduct, including bad language.
The drivers and co-drivers set up WoRDA, which is similar to Formula One's GPDA, after Fourmaux's penalty when they condemned “exorbitant” fines they said were vastly disproportionate to average incomes and budgets in rallying.
“We all agree to keep rudeness at the microphone to a minimum,” they said.
“At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a certain freedom of expression and to keep emotions alive while drivers don't need to be afraid of getting punished in any way.”
WoRDA said it had asked FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a 14-time Middle East rally champion, for “some positive changes in the rules to help us achieve this goal”.
“It is impossible for us to guarantee that we [drivers and co-drivers] will be able to follow these rules perfectly and systematically.
“That is why we — WoRDA members — are now taking the responsible decision to remain silent at the live stage end interviews or to answer in our mother tongue.”
WRC drivers to protest against swearing crackdown with Safari Rally silence
Image: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool
Drivers competing in the World Rally Championship will stay silent or speak only in their own languages in stage-end interviews at this week's Kenya Safari Rally in protest at the governing FIA's ban on swearing.
The World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) said on Wednesday the action was necessary in the sport's interest.
“We apologise to the rally fans, though we know they support us,” it added.
There was no immediate comment from the FIA.
Hyundai's French driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 (R197,564) with a further €20,000 (R395,251) suspended for swearing in a TV interview at the end of Rally Sweden in February.
The fine was the first since amendments to the FIA sporting code in January set out stiff sanctions for drivers who break the rules concerning conduct, including bad language.
The drivers and co-drivers set up WoRDA, which is similar to Formula One's GPDA, after Fourmaux's penalty when they condemned “exorbitant” fines they said were vastly disproportionate to average incomes and budgets in rallying.
“We all agree to keep rudeness at the microphone to a minimum,” they said.
“At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a certain freedom of expression and to keep emotions alive while drivers don't need to be afraid of getting punished in any way.”
WoRDA said it had asked FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a 14-time Middle East rally champion, for “some positive changes in the rules to help us achieve this goal”.
“It is impossible for us to guarantee that we [drivers and co-drivers] will be able to follow these rules perfectly and systematically.
“That is why we — WoRDA members — are now taking the responsible decision to remain silent at the live stage end interviews or to answer in our mother tongue.”
MORE:
WRC drivers hit back at FIA after Fourmaux fined for swearing
Evans wins in Sweden to go top of WRC standings
The chronicles of a rookie racing driver — Part One
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