“Formula One Drivers Are Suppressed By FIA,” Not Comfortable With Growing Pressure, Claims Sergio Perez

The way FIA is treating the Formula One drivers, controlling them in what they SPEAK! is somehow not appropriate according to millions of fans. Last month when FIA made it illegal to speak about anything that goes beyond the sport during the Grand Prix races, Mohammed Ben Sulayem went under huge criticism. One of the human rights groups from Bahrain emerged to stand in support of free speech that FIA is banning. The governing body imposed the rule in order to make the sports neutral. They don\’t want any politics with personal agenda in Formula One.

Sergio Perez Against FIA For Imposing Ban On Freedom Of Speech In Formula One

But the ban on \”making political statements\” also means that Lewis Hamilton would not be able to promote LGBTQ rights via the sport\’s platform. It means no drivers will be able to say, \”SAY NO To RACISM,\” and no drivers will be allowed to speak on Climate Change on the podiums of Formula One. However, if one wants to do so, one will have to take prior permission from FIA. But Is this fair? Let\’s see what a Formula One driver, who will have to face the consequences of the rules, has to say about the ban. 

On Friday, the day of Red Bull\’s launch, Sergio Perez came out to speak about the governing body of Formula One and the recent International Sporting Code they changed. Talking with the reporters in NYC last day, Perez said, \”We [the drivers] have not discussed [about the ban with GDPA [Grand Prix Driver\’s Association] yet. But is it something that we do not feel comfortable with. Because all Formula One drivers want to be themselves. And we want to be able to express ourselves in any way that we want?\” 

\”Red Bull Has Always Allowed Freedom Of Expression\”- Christian Horner

Checo has been a good driver in 2022. He won two of the 17 Grand Prix Races that Red Bull won. Speaking about the permission that the drivers will have to take before speaking anything political in Formula One, he explained that we all have different views and beliefs about religion or cults or anything. He gets the political side that FIA banned, but we should be free to express ourselves at least. Even thinking that we are going to get controlled with what we are going to say seems so struggling to Checo. However, he admitted that Formula One drivers would discuss it soon. 

So far, only Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have played a major role in making political statements. They have used the Formula One platform to address social issues. The seven-time world champion being a black driver, always tried to end racism. Lewis Hamilton has not released a bold statement about this matter yet.

But Sergio Perez has expressed his negative views on FIA\’s new rule. On the contrary, Red Bull\’s boss Christian Horner is somehow not so against the rule. He believes that Sports should never be used as a political agenda. But this certainly does not mean that anyone will be deprived of his/her freedom of speech. He said, \”Red Bull has always allowed freedom of expression. But it was a question f finding a balance.\”