'Words don't mean anything': Russell's bold reply as FIA boss 'considers' swearing ban backflip
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem this week pledged to revisit the governing body's controversial swearing ban.
But Mercedes gun and Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) director George Russell said he'll believe it when he sees it.
Ben Sulayem introduced a raft of new rules over the off-season that would see drivers across all seven FIA world championships – including F1, the world rally championship, world endurance championship and Formula E – penalised for swearing or criticising the FIA.
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In an Instagram post this week, Ben Sulayem said: "following constructive feedback from drivers across our seven FIA World Championships, I am considering making improvements to (the rules)".
Mercedes driver and GPDA director George Russell. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
"Humans make the rules and humans can improve the rules," the post read.
"This principle of continuous improvement is something I have always believed in and is at the heart of all we do at the FIA."
Speaking ahead of this weekend's Miami Grand Prix, Russell pointed out the change was only being "considered", and there had been no discussion with the FIA since the GPDA wrote an open letter in November asking to be treated "like adults".
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"The words don't mean anything until the change has been made," he said.
"Collectively, we've not spoken any further since the open letter that was sent out. Whether that is the response I'm not too sure.
"It would be great if changes were made and the drivers were at least heard and it's in the best interests of the sport, and ensuring some common sense is applied to it. We can comment on it when we see the action rather than the consideration."
The FIA has given no details about what the considerations are, but any proposed changes have to be detailed by May 8 ahead of the FIA General Assembly in June.
Ben Sulayem has been a controversial figure since he was elected in 2021.
He was also responsible for several other changes within the FIA statutes critics labelled a "concentration of power".
An archived version of his website also contained a quote saying he does "not like women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth". The quote is believed to have been from 2001.
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Formula 1 via Getty Images
He has also dismissed several senior FIA figures over questions about finances, and was investigated over allegations he instructed F1 stewards to overturn a penalty given to Fernando Alonso at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Ben Sulayem is up for re-election later in the year. It is not yet known who, if anyone, will run against him.
The Miami Grand Prix is a sprint weekend. Practice and sprint qualifying will be held on Saturday morning (AEST), before the sprint itself at 2am Sunday.
The Miami Grand Prix begins at 6am Monday (AEST).
