In a bold and unified stand, Kalle Rovanperä and fellow World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers have publicly challenged the FIA’s stringent penalties for swearing, voicing concerns over fairness and proportionality. This collective protest was ignited by the €10,000 fine imposed on Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux for a brief expletive during a Rally Sweden interview, a sanction deemed excessive by many in the rally community.
Rovanperä, alongside other drivers, emphasized the extreme conditions under which rally competitors operate—navigating dense forests, frozen roads, and treacherous gravel tracks—where moments of intense emotion are common. They argue that minor lapses in language, often unintentional and influenced by adrenaline, should not warrant severe penalties. The drivers also highlighted the disproportionate nature of the fines relative to their earnings and the lack of transparency regarding the allocation of the collected funds.
In response to the FIA’s stance, drivers have limited their media interactions, opting for brief or non-verbal responses during stage-end interviews. Rovanperä remarked, “We just need to find a good compromise with everybody,” underscoring the desire for constructive dialogue. The drivers have called for direct communication with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to address these concerns and seek a more balanced approach to penalties.
This protest mirrors similar actions in other motorsports, reflecting a growing movement among athletes to ensure that governance aligns with the realities and spirit of their sports.
Leave a Reply