McLaren driver Lando Norris believes that drivers should not be penalized for swearing, but Formula One should improve its broadcast management.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated before the Singapore Grand Prix weekend that efforts are being made to reduce the amount of offensive language broadcast by FOM (Formula One Management), who control the world feed for all F1 sessions.
This announcement came after an incident during a pre-event press conference where Max Verstappen used inappropriate language. Verstappen described his car’s setup at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as “f—ed” when reflecting on its performance.
As a result, Verstappen was called before the stewards who reviewed the audio transcript and heard from the driver and Red Bull team representatives. Verstappen was ultimately punished for his choice of words and is now required to complete some form of public service.
In response to the ongoing discussion about banning swearing in Formula 1, Lando Norris expressed his opinion, highlighting the intense pressure and emotions drivers experience during races.
Norris suggested that Formula One should focus on managing the broadcast more effectively rather than punishing drivers for their spontaneous reactions under pressure.
He emphasized that the raw emotions and genuine reactions of drivers should be preserved in the broadcast, and viewers can choose to watch other sports if they prefer a different approach.
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