A first step towards appeasement? Between the FIA and the pilots, the cloth has been burning for weeks, whether in Formula 1 or in other world championships (WEC, WRC, etc.). In question, the introduction at the beginning of the year of Annex B of the International Sports Code, which provides for a list of particularly high pecuniary and sports sanctions if the pilots pronounce laws.
A decision that caused an uproar within the pilot community: in WRC, they made the strike of interviews in Kenya after a penalty applied to Adrien Fourmaux to have simply dropped “we shit” after the rally of Sweden. A little big word escaped by the Frenchman, who was in addition in English (“We Fucked Up”) and which cost him the tidy sum of 10,000 euros.
In addition to rally pilots, their formula 1 counterparts are not more tolerant in the face of this new measure and have been demanding backwards for months. They may finally gain their case after a message published by Mohammed Ben Sulayem on social networks. The president of the FIA explains considering a change in the controversial annex B. Before rejoicing, George Russell is waiting to see if the change will indeed be formalized.
Read also> Ben Sulayem ready to backtrack on sanctions for coarse language?
-Russell wants more than words
“In principle, it is a good thing. But obviously, we want to see these things materialize rather than hearing simply saying “we think about it” – you know, we can all think about a lot “, Assess the Briton, president of the GPDA, the association of pilots. “We are clear about the fact that we want changes, and once they are implemented, so we can comment. But for the moment, these are only intentions. So these words mean nothing until the change has been made. »»
“I think we have lived an unprecedented period for 18 months, with everything that has changed and everything that happens. When the GPDA was founded, it was not really to talk about politics, but rather security, improvement in sport, the quality of the races ”, continues George Russell. “Personally, I find myself talking about subjects that I had never considered approaching. But today, we are no longer focused on the reasons why we are there. We are here to run, to offer the best possible spectacle to fans, to have the fastest, the safest cars, with the best technology and the best engineering – and yet, we are talking about fines, sanctions, insults. So yes, maybe something should change. We are open there, but what we want above all is the best for sport. »»
The Briton received the support of his former teammate Lewis Hamilton, who asked that the pilots have more weight in the FIA decision -making. Will they now be listened to? Response in the coming weeks.
Read also> Lewis Hamilton requires more power for pilots in the face of FIA decisions
