Ex-Ferrari boss reacts to FIA’s decision to clamp down on drivers making political statements. Domenicali on FIA political statement ban.

Former Ferrari team principal and current Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has reacted to the FIA clamping down on drivers making political statements and wanted to point out that the sport will “never put a gag on anyone”.

FIA published an updated International Sporting Code a few months ago and it was noted that a new rule was introduced that places a ban on the displaying of “political, religious and personal statements” by Formula 1 drivers, without the approval of the FIA.

Many drivers were left surprised by this decision and immediately raised concerns regarding: Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas was amongst the drivers to question the call while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has described the ban as “unnecessary”.

Formula 1 chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali also wanted to shares his thoughts on this matter in a recent interview for British daily newspaper The Guardian: “Formula 1 will never put a gag on anyone. Everyone wants to talk so to have the platform to say what they want in the right way the better it is. We have a huge opportunity because of the position of our sport which is more and more global, multicultural and multivalued. We are talking about 20 drivers, 10 teams and many sponsors, they have different ideas, different views. I cannot say one is right, one is wrong but it is right, if needed, to give them a platform to discuss their opinions in an open way. We will not change that approach as a sport. That should be the line of our sport, to give everyone the chance to speak in the right way, not with aggressive tones or to offend but with respect.” – the former Ferrari boss explained.

Stefano Domenicali also confirmed that the sport is “monitoring the situation” and will continue to “keep the drivers informed” regarding any developments, as he is confident the governing body will provide more details about how the ban will actually work:

“We are talking about a regulation and the regulator is the FIA. I believe the FIA will clarify what has been stated, in terms of respecting certain places where you cannot do it. I am sure the FIA will share the same view as F1 but they are part of an Olympic federation so there are protocols to which they have to abide.” – Ex Scuderia Ferrari team principal and current Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali concluded.