The International Federation of Automobiles (FIA) has updated the International Sporting Code, which now includes a ban on drivers making any type of political, religious or personal statement, in F1 and in any competition under the auspices of the FIA.

gestures like Lewis Hamilton during the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix, where he wore a T-shirt calling for “the arrest of the police officers who killed Breonna Taylor”, a woman shot dead by American police at her home in Kentucky, or the T-shirt by Sebastian Vettel in support of the LGTBI collective in Hungary, could have come to an end.

In the new article 12.2.1n of the International Code, the FIA ​​now establishes that it will be considered as a breach of the regulations “the make and post political statements or commentsreligious and personal who in particular violate the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA ​​under its Statutes”.

And he continues, with one exception: “…unless they have been previously approved in writing by the FIA for International Competitions or by the corresponding ASN (Federation) for National Competitions under its jurisdiction”.

In this way, the FIA ​​tries to control or at least be aware of the messages that the drivers show and promote during the sessions in which they participate, the category mainly affected being Formula 1, because it is the one that affects the most people and where we have seen the most activism of this type in recent times.

However, as we read in the article of the International Code, in reality the standard applies to all national and international vehicle categories relevant, attached to the federations and associations which in turn form part of the FIA.

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In recent years, in addition to Hamilton’s claims for the Black Lives Matter movement, which have also been backed by F1 with pre-race gestures and campaigns, Vettel Also He has made his voice heard for various social and environmental issues.

In addition to the well-known example of the T-shirt in favor of the LGTBI collective in a place where their rights are in danger like Hungary, the quadruple world champion has called for a halt to oil extraction in the tar sands of Hungary. ‘Alberta. (Canada), considering it a climate crime on the part of the country, something that could embarrass the promoter or his own team.

This prohibition of political statements and gestures by the FIA will undoubtedly give a lot to say, especially since the start of the Formula 1 season, where I am sure Lewis Hamilton they ask you any question on this subject. And, as we’re used to seeing, he’s not going to silence his opinion.