The FIA has levied a penalty of €30,000 on 8-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier for his candid opinions about the sport’s governing body. The 40-year-old driver then adopted Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen‘s style of protest, who attracted a penalty recently for dropping the F-bomb during the Singapore GP weekend.
The FIA swiftly penalized Verstappen after he used a swear word directed at his car during a pre-race press conference. This action followed FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s recent call for Formula 1 drivers to refrain from using profanity on team radio during live broadcasts.
The sport’s governing body imposed a one-day public service penalty, which left the Dutchman visibly frustrated. On Saturday, he revealed his discontent by offering brief responses to media questions, a subtle form of protest that quickly garnered significant attention.
After the FIA’s post-qualifying session, the three-time world champion staged an impromptu media gathering in the paddock as a …