Formula 1 continues to comment on changes to the FIA International Sports Code, which introduced a ban on drivers publicly expressing their political views and making relevant statements within the competition without prior approval from the federation.
Presenting the new McLaren MCL60 car, team driver Lando Norris said he did not approve of such bans and that financial penalties for breaching the new amendments would not prevent him from publicly expressing his position on certain issues.
“I think it’s very important that the riders can express their opinion,” Race fans quoted Lando Norris as saying. – I don’t think Formula 1 or the rules should go in a direction that restricts the racers in what they can do, say or influence. When we do something, we do it because we want to improve something.
Nobody is going to use their right to speak for illegal purposes. We have millions of fans, millions of viewers and we want to influence, guide or help them personally. To do this, we must preserve the right to freedom of expression.
We should have the right to say what we want, because this right makes us human. If we do something, there must be good reasons for it. It is of course better if the entire Formula 1 community speaks with one opinion and we make joint statements.
However, riders should be able to say whatever they want at any time. As long as we have freedom of expression, and it is supported in Formula 1, everything suits me. However, if we are forbidden to say anything then I don’t think anyone would want to work with the press at all. In this scenario everyone turns into robots saying the same things. We’re just trying to help people, give them advice – there’s no reason to forbid us to do this.
If we get a fine or something like that for breaking this rule, then I’m breaking. If the punishment is more severe, then probably not.
It seems to me that we have been able to put enough pressure on the FIA already, and maybe they have already reversed some. I think we should be able to say what we believe. I don’t know what the consequences will be for violations, but we are not at school and we don’t have to think every time whether we can say something or not.
We are old enough and smart enough to make decisions. Yes, sometimes a person is stupidly mistaken, but such is life. I hope and believe that the riders have already spoken enough about this matter to play back the situation.
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.
