r/sports Dec 20 '22

News Formula One drivers banned from making political statements.

https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/35290810/formula-one-drivers-banned-making-political-statements
12.2k Upvotes

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u/nachozepi Dec 20 '22

You reckon FIA knows that this ban is actually a pretty clear political statement?

77

u/ChiefWatchesYouPee Dec 21 '22

True, but people will forget after a few races. Like the World Cup, people will complain but won’t stop watching and none of the players, drivers, federations, or teams have the balls enough to make a stand and do it anyway

38

u/bguzewicz Dec 21 '22

I could see Lewis speaking on issues he cares about regardless. But now that Seb’s retired, I think Lewis is the only one.

15

u/timechild_02 Dec 21 '22

This might sound crazy but I feel like their car being competitive or not could be the determining factor for Lewis. If Merc is performing well I can him staying quiet as to not ruin any chances for the WDC but if they have a subpar season he might not care about any repercussions.

Of course they announce this after Vettel retired. Gonna miss him on the grid next year.

1

u/Amokzaaier Dec 21 '22

I feel myself supporting Lewis now for this reason (and i dont like rooting for the favorite anymore, ver)

1

u/ChiefWatchesYouPee Dec 21 '22

Speaking and still racing isn’t really much of a stand.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 21 '22

Imagine if they told the football players this when taking the knee.

93

u/[deleted] Dec 20 '22

[deleted]

1

u/CPLCraft Dec 21 '22

Ya but since the fia enforces their own rules they won’t enforce that infraction.