FIA Reveals Significant Update to Controversial Sporting Code Rule

The FIA has confirmed significant changes to a controversial rule in the International Sporting Code (ISC), Appendix B.

Last month, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had suggested improvements to the rule, which was introduced this year and granted the governing body the power to issue heavy fines, race bans, or points loss for violating regulations.

This included punishments for actions causing "moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers" or any "misconduct." This sparked backlash from drivers, including Max Verstappen, who hinted at the rule affecting his media responses.

The announced changes are now official. A key update is that abusing an official will now result in a sporting penalty rather than just a fine.

For F1, F2, F3, and Formula E, the new penalties are:

• Driver during competition (except Sprint/Race): Minimum 3 grid place penalty at the next race.
• Team member during competition (except Sprint/Race): Minimum 3 grid place penalty for both cars at the next race.
• Driver or team member during Sprint/Race: Minimum 5-second time penalty for the driver (subject to escalation).

Regarding swearing, a point of contention, the FIA has clarified the difference between controlled and non-controlled environments:

• Controlled Environment: Media conferences, interviews, podiums, rally ceremonial starts, service parks.
• Non-Controlled Environments: Radio transmissions, recordings made on circuit/stage/road sections, recordings outside controlled environments where the person may not know they are being recorded.

Additionally, the base maximum penalty fine has been halved from €10,000 to €5,000.

Stewards can now suspend a penalty for certain breaches, but only if it is the first offense.

The FIA maintains a strict stance on racial and discriminatory comments, stating they will "continue to be addressed firmly."

FIA President Ben Sulayem believes the changes represent a good compromise, aiming to promote sportsmanship while providing clear guidelines for stewards.