FIA clarifies ban on drivers making political statements

The governing body for Formula One has said drivers can comment on political and controversial issues “in their own space, and outside the scope of the international competition”

The governing body for Formula One issued guidance on February 17 on a rule recently introduced that prohibited drivers from speaking out on political and controversial issues.

The FIA's original rule barred “political, religious and personal statements” without prior consent, and expressed no limitations on where that restriction applied. Drivers were nearly unanimous in their criticism of the ruling, and seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton said he would not follow the ban.

The guidance issued on Friday puts limits on when the FIA can apply the rules — and the restrictions will be upheld during pre- and post-race events and on the track.

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The guidance noted drivers “can express their views on any political, religious or personal matter before, during and after” the race “in their own space, and outside the scope of the international competition”.

The FIA will permit the freedom of speech “through their own social media, during interviews with accredited media and during the FIA press conference, only in response to direct questions from journalists”.

The FIA will allow “exceptional” circumstances in which it could grant a driver the ability to make a political statement "at an international competition that would otherwise be prohibited” if that request is submitted to the governing body four weeks in advance of an event.