Formula 1: Political messages from drivers only after approval

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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix in a shirt in support of the »Black Lives Matter« movement

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Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Political messages from Formula 1 drivers should soon be a thing of the past.

The governing body of motor sport, Fia, has included a new article in its International Sporting Code that prohibits the display of political messages without prior authorisation.

It states that the "general delivery and display of political, religious and personal expressions or comments that violate in particular the general principle of neutrality promoted by the Fia" are prohibited.

This revised specification applies not only to Formula 1 drivers, but to all team members.

In particular, record world champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel had caused a stir in the past with their political statements.

For example, ahead of the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, Vettel wore a rainbow-colored T-shirt that read “Same Love” to show solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, i.e. people with different identities and sexual orientations.

The German was warned for the action before the national anthem was played.

Hamilton wore a t-shirt that read “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” after his Mugello win in 2020.

The Englishman recalled the black American woman who had been shot dead by police officers during an operation in her house months earlier.

The Fia then prohibited the visible wearing of T-shirts on the winners' podium.

Political messages on the race track are prohibited by the regulatory authority in principle.

However, since the beginning of 2020, the association has also permitted gestures in support of the fight against racism at the instigation of Hamilton's drivers.

Vettel has also repeatedly campaigned for climate protection, for example.

see/dpa