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FIA clarifies ban on drivers making political statements
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FILE - Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes reacts in a press conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 17, 2022. Mercedes will return to its all-black color scheme in a bid to shave weight from its car and be competitive again after last year's winless season for Lewis Hamilton. The car was revealed Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 amid a promise from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff that the car will be competitive. - photo by AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, file
The governing body for Formula One issued guidance Friday on a rule recently introduced that prohibited drivers from speaking out on political and controversial issues. The FIA's original rule barred “political, religious and personal statements” without prior consent, and expressed no limitations on where that restriction applied. Drivers were nearly unanimous in their criticism of the ruling and seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton said he would not follow the ban.