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.”
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