In a surprising turn of events, the FIA has slapped a €30,000 fine on Sebastien Ogier, the eight-time World Rally Champion, for sharing his honest views about the organization.
The seasoned 40-year-old driver seems to be taking a page out of Max Verstappen’s book—Verstappen recently faced penalties in Formula 1 for dropping an F-bomb during the Singapore GP weekend.
In Verstappen's case, the FIA wasted no time in penalizing him after he used a profanity aimed at his car in a pre-race press conference.
This came on the heels of a statement from FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, urging F1 drivers to avoid swearing on team radio during live broadcasts.
The Dutch driver received a public service penalty that required him to give up a day of his time, which left him visibly annoyed.
In response, he expressed his frustration during media interactions by providing curt answers, a subtle protest that caught the eye of many.
Ogier's Stand Against FIA
After the qualifying session, Verstappen took it a step further by organizing an unsanctioned media gathering in the paddock to voice his dissent against the FIA’s rules.
His actions drew support from other drivers, including the legendary Lewis Hamilton, who encouraged him to ignore the FIA’s penalties.
On the other hand, Ogier found himself in hot water for a different reason.
He didn't use any foul language but instead criticized the FIA for not addressing issues like the short gaps between cars during rally stages, which affected his visibility during the opening stage in Greece.
He expressed his frustrations to the media, saying, "It is annoying to see that the sport never learns. We ask for improvements, knowing dust is an issue, yet they refuse to acknowledge it. It’s just crazy."
The Fine and Ogier's Reaction
Ogier's candid comments resulted in a suspended fine of €30,000 for violating Article 12.2.1.f of the FIA International Sporting Code.
This article targets any statements or actions that could be deemed harmful to the FIA or the interests of motorsport in general.
After the penalty, Ogier limited his interactions with the media and claimed that the FIA was trying to silence the drivers.
However, during a live broadcast of the WRC rally in Chile, he made a poignant remark, saying, "You realize that I didn’t really want to talk today; we've been told we shouldn’t at the moment."
He went on to clarify that his decision wasn’t directed at the media or fans: "It’s not personal, and I apologize to the fans who deserve better. But we have very few tools to express ourselves."
Ogier subtly alluded to Verstappen's F1 penalty, saying, "It’s not just rallying facing these issues; let’s see what the future holds."
With the FIA tightening the reins on drivers’ freedom to speak out, it raises questions about the future dynamics of the sport and how athletes will navigate these challenges.
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