Formula One drivers have been officially banned from staging protests or making “political statements” during race events.
The motor racing sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), is banning drivers from making or displaying “political, religious, and personal statements” at races without prior permission from the group.
The new rule was unveiled by the FIA in an article on the International Sporting Code.
It states that the following is now a violation of the rules: “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.”
The decision comes after some drivers promoted leftist political causes in recent years, including Lewis Hamilton, who has worn shirts saying, “Black Lives Matter,” “Arrest The Cops Who Killed Breonna Taylor,” and more, TMZ reports.
Recently retired driver Sebastian Vettel has worn shirts promoting leftist environmental causes and the LGBT agenda.
The FIA noted in the statement that the International Sporting Code had been updated to reflect that “political neutrality” is a fundamental principle.
The stance is also upheld by the International Olympic Committee’s Code of Ethics, according to the statement.
The statement continues:
“Additionally as stated in Article 1.2 of the FIA Statutes, the FIA shall promote the protection of human rights and human dignity, and refrain from manifesting discrimination on account of race, skin color, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, language, religion, philosophical or political opinion, family situation or disability in the course of its activities and from taking any action in this respect.”
The statement concluded that the organization would also focus on “underrepresented groups” and work toward greater gender and racial representation.
