Tom Coronel criticizes the “ridiculous” FIA ruling that may affect Max Verstappen.
Veteran racing driver Tom Coronel has voiced strong criticism against the FIA’s recent amendments to its International Sporting Code, which impose strict penalties on drivers for swearing or making personal, political, and religious statements in public. The updated regulations outline escalating punishments, starting with fines for a first offense and potentially leading to race bans and championship point deductions for repeated infractions. Coronel contends that these measures are stripping the sport of its essential emotional expression and individuality.
In an interview with RacingNews365, Coronel expressed his disapproval, stating, “I find it ridiculous that this has to happen after so many years in motorsport and that this has to come in. I don’t agree with it at all. Sport is emotion, and I don’t think you should take that emotion out of the sport because it makes the sport less [enjoyable].”
He further argued that the FIA’s intent appears to be to control drivers’ expressions, effectively silencing them and reducing them to “marketing puppets.” Coronel emphasized that the essence of racing includes raw emotion and personal expression, elements that resonate with fans and add to the sport’s appeal.
The FIA’s crackdown on driver expressions began in Singapore last season when Max Verstappen faced repercussions for a remark made during a press conference, resulting in an obligation to carry out community service. With the new sanctions now formalized, Coronel is skeptical that drivers will adhere strictly to these guidelines, especially given the emotional intensity inherent in competitive racing.
“The emotion remains anyway,” he noted. “The drivers make so much money, then they only pay $10,000 [for the first offense]. They don’t care about that. You can’t stop the emotion. I understand that you have to set limits, but you can’t stop the emotion.”
Coronel also highlighted the potential frustration these rules could cause among drivers, suggesting that enforcing such regulations could lead to unnatural behavior and diminish the sport’s authenticity. He questioned the practicality of censoring language, pointing out that spontaneous emotional reactions are a fundamental part of the sport.
This development is particularly relevant to drivers like Max Verstappen, known for their candid and passionate demeanor. The new FIA regulations could impact how Verstappen and others express themselves during high-pressure situations, potentially affecting their public personas and interactions with fans.
Coronel’s critique underscores a broader debate within the motorsport community about the balance between professionalism and the preservation of the sport’s passionate and unfiltered nature. As the FIA seeks to implement these new standards, it remains to be seen how drivers will adapt and what impact this will have on the dynamic and emotionally charged world of Formula 1 racing.