After the Formula 1 drivers, it’s now the WRC drivers who are angry with the FIA: a fine that pushed things over the edge.
Tensions between the FIA and rally drivers have reached a new level. Following the controversial fine imposed on Adrien Fourmaux during the Rally of Sweden, the entire WRC driver group has stepped up. In a joint statement, they denounce what they consider excessive penalties and call for greater transparency regarding the money collected by the FIA. This protest echoes the recent positions taken by Formula 1 drivers, who are also tired of the harshness of the new disciplinary rules.
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The FIA fine that doesn’t sit well
It all started with a simple phrase spoken by Adrien Fourmaux at the end of a difficult special stage in Sweden: “We screwed up.” A casual comment? Not for the FIA, which fined him €10,000, with an additional €20,000 suspended in case of a repeat offense. This sanction, based on a rule prohibiting remarks deemed “inappropriate,” caught everyone off guard. In the heat of the moment, after hours of battling snow and extreme conditions, expecting drivers to have perfectly measured words seems unrealistic.
Reactions were swift. The World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA), which represents WRC drivers and co-drivers, released a statement demanding explanations. The biggest concern is the size of the fines, which are considered disproportionate compared to the earnings of rally drivers, which are much lower than those in F1.
A discontent that goes beyond rallying
This outcry from WRC drivers echoes that of the Formula 1 drivers, who previously demanded explanations about how the funds collected from fines were used. At that time, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem simply replied that it wasn’t their problem—a response that convinced no one and only deepened the distrust toward the governing body. Rally drivers now want immediate clarifications. To them, these penalties give the impression that the FIA is trying to fill its coffers at their expense, without anyone knowing exactly where that money goes Rallying is a demanding sport with long days, extreme conditions, and constant concentration. In that context, expecting drivers to maintain perfect emotional control after hours of racing seems unrealistic.
A growing protest in motorsports
In their statement, the drivers do not dispute the need for a certain disciplinary framework, but they are concerned about the trend of imposing heavier penalties for insignificant details. They highlight several key points:
- Adrenaline and fatigue make it difficult to have completely controlled speech after a special stage.
- Cultural and language differences can sometimes affect the interpretation of remarks.
- Rallying is an extreme sport where drivers constantly push their limits.
Beyond this frustration with fines, the very image of the sport is at stake. The drivers worry about the message being sent to fans: should interviews be sanitized and lose the rawness that gives rally its charm? The drivers are now demanding a direct meeting with the FIA to find a solution. It remains to be seen whether the governing body will agree to listen to these demands or choose, once again, to ignore the grumbling.
This article explores the protest by the WRC drivers against the FIA following the fine imposed on Adrien Fourmaux, draws parallels with the situation in F1, and highlights the drivers’ concerns about the management of penalties and the funds collected.
Images: © Red Bull Content pool
