Domenicali insists System 1 ‘will under no circumstances gag anyone’ amid controversy concerning the FIA and motorists

Stefano Domenicali has said Formula 1 ‘will never put a gag on anyone’ when asked about the governing body’s final decision to clampdown on political statements.

The FIA updated its sporting code for 2023 and inserted a clause to ban motorists from creating ‘political, religious and own statements’ at official activities with out prior approval.

The decision has caused controversy involving the FIA and motorists as the current crop of Method 1 stars feel the clause infringes on their legal rights to protest and specific their views.

F1 chiefs remained somewhat silent on the issue even though the likes of Alex Albon and Max Verstappen spoke out about their considerations around the new sporting code for the 2023 season. 

Even so, Domenicali has broken his silence and advised The Guardian that F1 ‘will in no way set a gag on anyone’. He also mentioned the sport’s governing overall body will not alter their stance on the new clause. 

Stefano Domenicali (higher than) has claimed Formulation 1 ‘will never set a gag on anyone’ when requested about the governing body’s determination to clampdown on political statements

Domenicali’s comments arrived soon after Max Verstappen and Alex Albon spoke out

Speaking to The Guardian, Domenicali explained: ‘F1 will never ever put a gag on anybody. Everyone wishes to speak, so to have the system to say what they want in the correct way the greater it is. We have a huge prospect simply because of the place of our sport which is much more and much more worldwide, multicultural and multi-valued.

‘We are talking about 20 drivers, 10 groups and a lot of sponsors, they have different suggestions, distinctive views. I simply cannot say 1 is right, a single is incorrect but it is proper, if needed, to give them a system to go over their views in an open way.

‘We will not transform that method as a activity. That should be the line of our activity, to give all people the probability to speak in the ideal way, not with aggressive tones or to offend but with respect.’

System 1’s 57-year-old CEO completed by saying: ‘I consider the FIA will make clear what has been stated’. 

Domenicali’s responses arrived soon immediately after Albon spoke to Sky Sporting activities. The British-Thai driver explained:  ‘I believe much more than everything it truly is a little bit of confusion. 

‘Last year we ended up concentrated on the We Race As Just one initiative and I imagine we ended up performing a good job addressing specified challenges all around the entire world. We’re using our profiles in the correct way.

‘We have been maybe likely to some circuits that were slightly controversial, but we ended up managing it by addressing matters in these places that we felt needed awareness.

Albon – who motorists for Williams – says System 1 has taken a move back again because of to the clause 

Verstappen (still left) says the new rule is ‘unnecessary’ as it ‘stops individuals from speaking’ when they should really be allowed 

‘It seems like we have marginally gone back on that now. There is most almost certainly a different perspective involving the drivers, FIA – but even also F1. We need to have to have an understanding of and have a communicate about it.’

While Verstappen mentioned: ‘Everyone’s different so people are far more outspoken than some others. I am generally not that outspoken – first of all it is tricky as a racing driver to be fully fully commited to that in phrases of going into all the things and generating absolutely sure you know the info.

‘But I never believe [the rule] is needed, because in a way you are generating sure persons are not allowed to converse and I assume we need to be permitted. It was most likely a little bit pointless.’