The FIA has moved to ban Formula 1 drivers from making "political statements" from next season.
Compared to the governing bodies of other sports, the FIA has been more lenient in allowing drivers to use their global platforms to support causes or make statements. This policy was widely praised, in comparison to other bodies like FIFA and the IOC which have prohibited such actions.
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were the two F1 stars who most often did this. They regularly campaigned for social change and highlighted injustices – examples include Hamilton's T-shirt calling for action to be taken after the death of Breonna Taylor and Vettel's regular environmental messages.
But such statements will now be banned, the FIA has confirmed, unless prior permission is sought and granted. The move, the governing body explained, has been made to bring it in line with other similar organisations.
The wording of the international sporting code (ISC) has been changed to ban "the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its statutes, unless previously approved in writing by the FIA for international competitions".
It continues: "Article 12.2.1.n. is changed to enable the FIA to align itself to the practices of other similar international sports organisations such as FIFA, IOC and FIBA on the matter of neutrality by amending the ISC to this effect. This will allow the ISC to widen its scope of application to cover statements/comments in violation of the general principle of neutrality."
The move is unlikely to go down well with many in the sport. Hamilton was already at loggerheads with the FIA over their enforcement of rules around jewellery for some time earlier this year. As Vettel is no longer a driver and in F1, or under the jurisdiction of the ISC, he will not be prevented from continuing his campaigning.
It is the latest controversial move made by the FIA under the leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Despite having only been in the job for 12 months, the president is already widely unpopular in the F1 paddock for reasons including, but not limited to, important decisions made and his own behaviour in meetings with team bosses.
Ben Sulayem made his own feelings about driver campaigning clear in June when he appeared to take aim at Hamilton and Vettel for their work. He said: "Niki Lauda and Alain Prost only cared about driving. Now, Vettel drives a rainbow bicycle, Lewis is passionate about human rights and [Lando] Norris addresses mental health."
He later clarified that comment, writing on social media: "As a driver, I have always believed in sport as a catalyst of progress in society. That is why promoting sustainability, diversity and inclusion is a key priority of my mandate. In the same way, I value the commitment of all drivers and champions for a better future."
