Williams team principal James Vowles does not think that drivers should be prevented from swearing in the car: “Everyone would react emotionally”
Do Formula 1 drivers need to have better control over themselves? The topic of swearing is ubiquitous this weekend in Singapore. FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem had suggested broadcasting fewer expletives from the drivers on television, and Max Verstappen was called to account for using the word “fucked”.
But the team bosses are backing the drivers. It is unrealistic to expect them not to swear at all: “I’m not sure if I’m the best reference,” laughs Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, who has repeatedly been known to use somewhat coarser language himself.
However, he believes that statements made inside and outside the car should be distinguished: “We have to understand that they are driving the car at 350 km/h, and I don’t know if their statements are their top priority when driving – and I can absolutely understand that.”
Williams team principal James Vowles sees it the same way and would not curtail the drivers during the session: “If you’re out there in the heat of the moment, to the point where you feel like you’re endangering your life, and that’s what some of the maneuvers sometimes lead to, then everyone in the room would react emotionally.“
”I absolutely understand that we are a global sport and there are elements that we need to keep under control,” says Vowles, saying that in quieter situations there are certainly insults that could be avoided.
“But,” he continues, ‘we have to try to remember that we have some of the best athletes in the world putting their lives on the line like gladiators – and that’s bound to cause an emotional reaction.’
The drivers are on a high adrenaline level, ‘and it would be very difficult to change that,’ says the Briton, who reveals that Franco Colapinto also expressed some irritation during training. “But we’ll talk to him about that later. It was nothing more than him forgetting something, but we’ll sort it out.“
”But in the heat of the moment, we demand a lot from the drivers.”
It should be noted, though, that Verstappen was not reprimanded for a radio outburst, but for a comment in the press conference – whether you agree with it or not.
“We can talk about a different approach,” says Vasseur. ‘I won’t do that for obvious reasons, but when they’re in the car, it’s a bit harsh.’