Stefano Domenicali made it clear that Formula 1 management supports drivers’ right to speak out on all issues they consider important, and expects the FIA to clarify its position in the near future.
F1’s president and chief executive is referring to controversial changes to the FIA’s international sporting code, which would ban drivers from making “political, religious or personal” statements without prior approval from the federation.
Domenicali believes that sport will only win if participants in the World Cup are given freedom of expression.
“No one is silenced in Formula 1,” the London newspaper The Guardian quotes him as saying. – Everyone wants to say something, and if there is a platform where everyone can say what they want, then this is the right approach. It will go better that way. Formula 1 offers huge opportunities as our sport becomes more global, multicultural and diverse in terms of values.
We have 20 riders, 10 teams and many sponsors, everyone has different ideas, different views. I can’t decide who is right and who is wrong, and everyone needs a platform to openly express their opinion. Formula 1 will not change its approach. This should be the line we adhere to: everyone should be given the opportunity to speak out, but it should be done correctly, respectfully, without aggressive or offensive intonations…
Since we are talking about certain rules for which the FIA is responsible, I think the federation will clarify some of the provisions laid down in the International Sports Code. I’m sure the FIA shares our view, but as the federation is part of the International Olympic Committee there are some protocols they have to adhere to.
Last year I had a discussion with the racers about all these topics, that Formula 1 can be a platform to draw attention to certain things that we think we need to talk about. F1 should help drivers if they want to raise certain topics. It is important to establish constructive dialogue. If this does not happen, misunderstandings or problems may arise, which can be avoided.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
