George Russell reacts to FIA president's swearing fine review
The Mercedes driver wants actions rather than words from the FIA president over consideration to u-turn swearing punishments
George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
George Russell reacted to the FIA’s President’s comments regarding changing strict rules that would see drivers fined for swearing.
Earlier this week, Mohammed Ben Sulayem posted on Instagram that he was contemplating reviewing plans to punish drivers for using foul language after receiving “constructive feedback” from drivers across the world and that he was open to making “improvements”.
However, Russell said his words “don’t mean anything until the change has been made”.
On Thursday in Miami, Russell was asked about the post on Instagram and said: “We want to see these things put into action rather than saying ‘we're considering things’. We all consider a lot of things.
“We're clear we want changes and once they are implemented, then we'll comment on it. But for the time being it's being considered. So those words don't mean anything until the change has been made.”
Russell’s former teammate Lewis Hamilton had suggested that the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association deserved to be consulted about future decision-making at F1’s governing body. And Russell, who is a director of the GPDA agrees.
He added: “I feel it's like unprecedented times. In the last 18 months, with what's been changing, and the GPDA was founded years ago, it was not really to talk about politics. It was to talk about safety.
“Suddenly, I find myself talking about topics that I didn't really have any intention of of talking about, but we find ourself in a time where we aren’t focusing on things.
“We're here to create the best show for for the fans To have the fastest cars, the safest cars. The best technology, the best engineering and yet we talk about fines and punishments and swearing.”
Stay up to speed with the latest F1 Miami Grand Prix news, expert analysis, photos and videos. Join us for Sunday's watch along on Race Center Live by signing up here.
Photos from Miami GP - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
2025 Miami Grand Prix - Thursday
Share Or Save This Story
How Jonathan Wheatley wants Sauber to use F1 podium momentum in Audi transformation
How Christian Horner’s Red Bull exit mirrored his F1 arrival and why he will be missed
Keanu Reeves to star in new Cadillac F1 team documentary
George Russell announces engagement to long-term partner Carmen Montero Mundt
Emerson Fittipaldi explains why Kimi Antonelli-George Russell battle is good for F1
Why this looks like George Russell’s best chance yet at the British GP
Why Mercedes finds other F1 teams' upgrades "scary" with its out-of-phase plan
Mercedes explains key attributes behind Kimi Antonelli’s new 2026 F1 level
The shocking aspect to Kimi Antonelli's rapid F1 title-contending transformation
Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein worried about Formula E rivals “manipulating” London finale
Porsche backs Stephane Ratel over GT3's direction: "We don't want prototypes"
Why Mercedes finds other F1 teams' upgrades "scary" with its out-of-phase plan
How F1 drivers were "drooling over" Formula E's Gen4 car
Could McLaren follow Red Bull’s path with its own F1 engine – and should it?
Top 10 rookie seasons in F1
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments