Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
Formula 2 and Formula 3 CEO Bruno Michel has discussed how the update in the FIA International Sporting Code on restricting political expression will impact junior series drivers.
Several figures in Formula 1, including drivers and the world championship’s CEO Stefano Domenicali, have criticised the introduction of the clause, which states:
The general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its Statutes, unless previously approved in writing by the FIA for International Competitions, or by the relevant ASN for National Competitions within their jurisdiction.
As F2 and F3 are also FIA championships, they are covered by the restrictions laid out in the sporting code. Michel was asked for his thoughts on the matter in a recent press session.
“What I think about it is that there are some FIA rules, and I know they’ve been discussed in F1. Obviously we’re not at the same kind of level, because our drivers are younger, they don’t have the same visibility as F1 drivers, and they’re on the way up,” he replied.
“And that’s why they’re always at least carefuller on what they want to say because they don’t want to do anything that would be detrimental to their career.
“So I would say at the moment that this has not at all been discussed internally in F2 and F3. If some drivers wanted to have a discussion on that subject, of course we will. And we will do as soon as they want.”
F1 and its two single-seater suppoer series all start their seasons at Bahrain next week, and Michel says the freedom of speech within the FIA rules could be a matter that is discussed with competitors at the track.
“My office is always open during the race weekends to discuss that. But at the moment I would say that it’s not really an issue we are concentrating on for F2 and F3.
“It’s a little bit too early in terms of visibility for our drivers to make statements. But we will absolutely, we need to have that [discussion], and then discuss that also with Stefano.”