Alex Albon, Williams Formula 1 driver, showed collective concern of drivers on political statements clampdown by the FIA. He believes that the drivers have a “responsibility” to raise their voice over issues concerning people.
In December last year, the FIA has modified its International Sporting Code to curb unnecessary statements from drivers. It prohibits its driver from making “political, religious or personal” statements without prior approval.
Recent year have seen a rise in statements from a number of drivers, including Lewis Hamilton & Sebastian Vettel. They had shared their opinions from the platform on number of social issues, like Black Lives Matter and environmentalism.
F1 has initiated its own campaign like “We Race As One” in 2020. The campaign received massive support from drivers.
The officials claim that the regulations intend to formalise the process that is already enacted. However, FIA decision received criticism while drawing a comparison with FIFA. The football association also initiates similar measures ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Albon find the new regulatory guidance as “confusing”. He asked for a “clarity on the situation”.
“We were very much for We Race As One and all these kind of situations. And it seems like the FIA are trying to go away from that,” Albon commented on the clampdown.
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“So we need to see. It’s clear we need to be open in dialogue about what they’re trying to do. Of course, we need to be able to speak freely to some extent.
“I’m sure we’re going to get clarity later on what really they’re trying to say.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA president, insisted that the sport shall remain free from personal agendas. He denied the notion of shutting the drivers down.
Albon felt otherwise and claims that “a lot of people come to us and look at us as spokespeople for issues around the world”.
“I do feel like it is a responsibility for drivers to make people aware of these kind of situations,” said Albon.
“It is a beast. It is hard to, as drivers, to see what they’re trying to say. But let’s see.”
He believes that the drivers are concerned on such regulations.
“I know, you know as well, that between Formula 1 and the FIA, it’s trying to get everything together in the same form of communication,” he said.
“At the minute, there’s a little bit of confusion. That’s all I’m going to say about that.”
