The revised International Sporting Code is more or less an answer from the FIA to the GPDA letter that the F1 drivers released towards the end of the 2024 season.
There was growing agitation among the F1 drivers regarding the fines levied on them for breaking some of the rules during the course of a race weekend. It reached a melting point when Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was pulled up for using swear during the official FIA press conference.
It led to a protest from the Dutchman, but he still had to undertake community service in Rwanda as per the FIA ruling. At the same time, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was also pulled up for a swear, as the F1 drivers rallied support to their own against the governing body’s growing fine culture.
It led a formal letter from GPDA, where George Russell wanted a dialogue with the FIA and also a transparent picture of where the money of the fines is put in use. There was no official response apart from stories where Nikolaz Tombazis was quoted about ‘other activities’, where the money goes.
There has been mixed response to the said topic. The International Sporting Code, however, has seen an update. Under the Appendix B of penalty guidelines, the FIA has listed the amount of fine to be levied and the number of chances that a driver will get before championship points is deducted.
The list provides a general penalty guideline with a base fine, which will be multiplied by four in case of F1 drivers. There are five divisions relating to bad words, misconduct, public incitement, political/religious messages and disrespecting official in ceremonies.
The base fine starts from 10,000 euros and stretches to a maximum of 45,000 euros, which in F1 terms is 40,000 euros on the lower side and 1,80,000 euros on the higher. Some of the offences done more than once will result in suspended suspension and also deduction of championship points.
In addition to the penalty guidelines, the International Sporting Code has amendments made to some of the headers, such as Inadmissible Protest. There are also pointers relating to environment, where along with the existing environmental officer, there is an environmental observer appointed too.
Here’s the guideline list: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/appendix_b_-_stewards_penalty_guidelines.pdf
Here’s updated code: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/2025_international_sporting_code_fr-en_marked_up_version_21.01.2025.pdf
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