George Russell could face hefty fine after swearing incident amid FIA tensions

Mercedes driver George Russell may be facing a penalty following a slip of the tongue during a live Viaplay broadcast at the pre-season testing session. As the testing was interrupted by a power cut, Russell inadvertently uttered a swear word while recounting the incident, saying, “Oh s**t, there’s no lights on.” This could make him the first driver to be penalized under the FIA's newly implemented language regulations.

The FIA introduced stringent language rules in 2025 as part of the updates to the International Sporting Code. These rules aim to hold drivers accountable for public remarks, including off-the-cuff expressions made in high-pressure moments. The first offense comes with a fine of €40,000 for Formula 1 drivers, with escalating penalties for repeated violations, such as larger fines, point deductions, and even suspensions.

This rule has already been enforced in motorsport, as World Rally Championship driver Adrien Fourmaux received a €10,000 fine for swearing on live broadcast. If the FIA takes action, Russell could face a similar consequence. Although the incident has not yet been officially noted, the risk of Russell becoming the first F1 driver penalized under this regulation is high.
The controversy surrounding the rule has been intensifying, with drivers voicing their discontent. During the F1 75 car launch at London’s O2 Arena, the swearing ban became a hot topic, with many drivers criticizing the new rule. Russell, who serves as the chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) and is known for being vocal about FIA decisions, expressed his concerns about the regulation’s impact on drivers' ability to express themselves freely.
Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast, Russell argued that the new rules are overly restrictive and create an atmosphere where drivers feel like they are “treading on eggshells.” He emphasized that the penalties could go as far as points deductions or month-long suspensions, which could heavily impact drivers and the sport itself. Russell noted, “The sport’s in an amazing place at the moment, but there’s still things behind the scenes that we’re sort of treading on eggshells... I think we’ve got to ensure that the racing stays good, it stays competitive, the fans are enjoying what they’re seeing, and then it’s just not becoming too automated, and drivers still can show their personalities.”

Russell also pointed out the challenges non-native English-speaking drivers might face under this rule, as they may unintentionally use words that are deemed offensive. He stated, “There’s a bit going on about swearing at the moment, which again, I’m not one who swears very often, but a lot of these drivers, English isn’t their first language. So it’s not easy for a Japanese driver or whatever, coming into the sport and doesn’t know the potential offence he may be causing.”
Also Read: F1 2025 pre-season testing day 2: Which drivers are taking the track today?
The implementation of the swearing ban has sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that the FIA's decision fails to account for cultural differences and language nuances. As the 2025 F1 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16, followed by the Chinese Grand Prix, it remains to be seen how strictly these rules will be enforced and how drivers, including Russell, will navigate this new landscape.