Hamilton and Russell slam FIA president over U-turn on swearing ban

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have criticized the FIA president's decision to reverse a stricter ban on drivers swearing.

Under the initial plan, drivers could face hefty fines (€40,000 for a first offense, double plus a ban for a second). This has now been reduced to a €5,000 fine, and the threat of a ban has been removed.

Hamilton called the situation "ridiculous" and a "mess". He commented, "There are lots of changes that are needed, for sure. But it doesn't really affect me. I don't see what's happened since then."

Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, said the rollback felt "a bit suspect" and that the original rule was "a little bit ludicrous". He added, "We're happy to see that it [has been changed], but it should never have been there in the first place... it feels a bit wrong to be thanking [the FIA] for the changes when we shouldn't have been in that place to begin with."

Russell also noted the lack of direct communication from senior FIA leadership regarding the issue.