FIA

Vettel criticises 'nonsense' FIA stance on political statements

Paul Macdonald Sunday 5 February 2023 14:35 Updated: 18:38

Vettel criticises 'nonsense' FIA stance on political statements

Sebastian Vettel has taken aim at the FIA for their recent decision to ban drivers from making political statements within Formula 1, branding the decision 'nonsense'.

In December the FIA revealed new legislation which stated that drivers must obtain permission before making any 'political, religious and personal statements'.

This came in the wake of various protests such as the stance on Black Lives Matter, and the FIA have sought to clamp down on unauthorised freedom of expression.

But speaking to German publication Münchner Merkur, the 35-year-old, who retired at the end of the 2022 F1 season, has little time for the ruling and believes that protests are an important part of sport.

He said: "That's a bit of nonsense. I think it's absolutely important that you take a stance on some issues, and we've also seen in recent years that more and more stances have been taken. To steer against it now somehow doesn't make that much sense.

"Of course that the boys in Formula 1 continue to have the courage to stand up for their opinions and to express them."

Vettel has been one of the more outspoken drivers on the grid on various issues such as sustainability, climate change, and where F1 races each year.

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo given 'best driver' verdict by Red Bull boss as F1 team announce NEW signing - GPFans F1 Recap

Yesterday 23:57

F1 Off The Track

Axed F1 boss admits SHOCKING Drive to Survive truth

Yesterday 22:58

Daniel Ricciardo

Horner makes Ricciardo 'best driver' claim as Red Bull assess 2025 lineup

Yesterday 21:57

F1 News & Gossip

Perez's father issues MAJOR update over son's F1 future

Yesterday 20:54

F1 Off the Track

Red Bull issue team TENSION concern following F1 snub

Yesterday 19:58

Mercedes

Hamilton receives HUGE Mercedes blow as end of season plans revealed

Yesterday 18:57

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP MONACO 24 - 26 May

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Vettel criticises 'nonsense' FIA stance on political statements

Vettel criticises 'nonsense' FIA stance on political statements