Google News Stefano Domenicali on FIA changes: F1 will never put a gag on anyone
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The FIA is introducing changes for the new season, which everyone will have to respect. The first move of the FIA was related to banning comments on 'political, religious or personal' issues without the permission of the governing body.
Many are wondering what this will mean. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reacted in an interview with 'The Guardian'; “F1 will never put a gag on anyone,” he said. “Everyone wants to talk so to have the platform to say what they want in the right way the better it is.
We have a huge opportunity because of the position of our sport which is more and more global, multicultural and multivalued. We are talking about 20 drivers, 10 teams and many sponsors, they have different ideas, different views.
I cannot say one is right, one is wrong, but it is right, if needed, to give them a platform to discuss their opinions in an open way. We will not change that approach as a sport. That should be the line of our sport, to give everyone the chance to speak in the right way, not with aggressive tones or to offend, but with respect”.
Stefano Domenicali EXPLANATION
Domenicalli emphasized that the drivers have been informed about this and that they are aware of the problem. F1 aims to improve things, and they believe that talking is the best solution to everything.
“I had a discussion with the drivers about this last year. About how F1 could be a platform, to have a spotlight on certain things we believe are right to talk about. F1 should help the drivers if they want to discuss certain subjects.
It is important to have a very constructive dialogue. If this is not happening it can create either confusion or problems where there need not be problems. We keep monitoring the situation. We keep the drivers informed, we meet with the GPDA to discuss it.
How we can allow the drivers to be open as human beings in our sport. Athletes can be very emotional and passionate about some things, and they need to discuss that constructively with people they trust”. He expects FIA to give an additional explanation regarding the changes.
“We are talking about a regulation and the regulator is the FIA,” he said. “I believe the FIA will clarify what has been stated, in terms of respecting certain places where you cannot do it. “I am sure the FIA will share the same view as F1 but they are part of an Olympic federation, so there are protocols to which they have to abide”.
