WRC drivers stage quiet revolt at media sessions over FIA swearing crackdown

World Rally Championship drivers have followed up their recent statement regarding the FIA’s clampdown on swearing by limiting their responses to media questions following Wednesday’s shakedown at Safari Rally Kenya.

After M-Sport Ford driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 ($10,900) — plus an additional €20,000 ($21,816) which was suspended — for swearing in a television interview after Rally Sweden in February, the World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) put out a statement seeking clarity on the matter.

On Wednesday, at the end of the shakedown stage, drivers largely either refused to speak to the media – with Fourmaux remaining silent and Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta only offering a thumbs-up to the camera – or spoke in their native tongue. Championship leader Elfyn Evans spoke in Welsh, while 2024 champion Thierry Neuville offered an explanation in French.

“I believe you already know there will be little to no communication from us this weekend. Everyone will do it in their own language,” said Neuville. “We are sorry there has been no communication between the FIA and us. We are not the kind of people who insult and offend others. We feel sorry for the fans but we’ve taken this decision altogether.”

Two-time WRC champion Kalle Rovanpera was one of the few who did opt to respond in English, although he kept his answer brief, saying, “It is nice to be here in Kenya. Unfortunately you guys won’t hear from me so much this weekend, but if that is the case (of) what we need to do to make a difference, we will do it.”

Hyundai’s Ott Tanak expanded slightly, saying, in English, “Unfortunately this time we need to go a bit different. I believe the first drivers (to finish the stage) explained the situation.

“As you can see the adrenaline can be quite high at the end of the stage, so unfortunately regarding the latest actions we can’t give any end-of-stage comments until it is again comfortable for the drivers. That is the way it is at the moment. Hopefully a solution comes through and we can go back to normal.”

After the Shakedown stage had concluded, WoRDA issued another statement on the matter.

“We all agree to keep rudeness at the microphone to a minimum. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a certain freedom of expression and to keep emotions alive while drivers don’t need to be afraid of getting punished in any way,” read the statement. “We have asked the president of the FIA for some positive changes in the rules to help us achieve this goal.

“For the reasons explained in our statement, it is impossible for us to guarantee that we (drivers and co-drivers) will be able to follow these rules perfectly and systematically.

“This is why we – WoRDA members – are now taking the responsible decision to remain silent at the end of the interviews or to answer in our mother tongue.

“In the own interest of our sport, such an action is unfortunately needed, and we apologize to all the rally fans, even though we know they support us in this.”