It is pointed out that the ban on verbal abuse in F1 has a negative effect on drivers
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It has been reported that the FIA, which runs the Formula 1 World Championship, has asked F1 management to 'minimize radio abusive language.' However, British linguist Kieran File points out that 'banning F1 drivers from swearing could have a negative impact on their performance.'
Banning swearing in Formula One could be bad for drivers – a linguist explains
https://theconversation.com/banning-swearing-in-formula-one-could-be-bad-for-drivers-a-linguist-explains-251424
Radio communications between drivers and staff are sometimes broadcast during Formula 1 World Championship race broadcasts, but F-words and the like are sometimes edited out. For example, at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, it was reported that Max Verstappen swore at least seven times during radio communications, six of which were drowned out by a beep. Also, at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda was fined 40,000 euros (about 6.4 million yen) for abusive language during official qualifying.
In January 2025, the FIA announced that it would update its misconduct guidelines to crack down on drivers swearing or criticizing governing bodies. The guidelines define misconduct as 'using offensive, insulting, rude, disrespectful or abusive language, gestures or signs,' and stipulate that not only physical assault but also any behavior that is deemed to be inciting such assault constitutes misconduct.
The penalties for violating this guideline are also heavy, with a fine of 10,000 euros (approximately 1.6 million yen) for the first violation within two years, a fine of 20,000 euros (approximately 3.2 million yen) to 30,000 euros (approximately 4.8 million yen) and a one-month suspension for a second violation within two years, and a fine of 30,000 euros to 40,000 euros (approximately 6.4 million yen) and a one-month suspension for a third violation within two years, as well as a point deduction in the World Championship. This guideline applies not only to F1 but also to FIA-sponsored races, including the World Rally Championship.
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Furthermore, in February 2025, FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem commented that the F1 Federation may step up censorship of radio communications to prevent F1 drivers from swearing over the air.
Let's reduce F1 drivers' abusive radio calls! FIA President requests F1: 'How will we explain this to the children watching?'
https://jp.motorsport.com/f1/news/exclusive-fia-asks-f1-to-limit-swearing-in-television-coverage/10655642/
But File argues that excessive policing of verbal abuse could reduce an F1 driver's concentration and performance.
According to File, research has shown that profanity, unlike other words, is associated with areas of the brain that handle emotion processing, threat detection, and survival responses. Given that F1 drivers operate in 'high-stress, high-risk environments' where quick decision-making and threat assessment are important, swearing under great pressure may be a natural response.
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Research has also shown that abusive language activates the fight-or-flight response , causing physiological changes such as increased heart rate, faster breathing and the release of adrenaline. The fight-or-flight response helps humans react to danger and is a key instinct for F1 drivers, who must remain highly alert while making critical decisions at extreme speed.
Furthermore, File said that abusive language plays a very important role in interpersonal communication within a team. In F1, where split-second decisions affect the outcome of the race, communication between drivers and engineering staff must be concise, clear and unambiguous. In that respect, past research has pointed out that abusive language has the function of 'attracting attention' in interpersonal communication, and some research has argued that messages containing abusive language tend to indicate a high priority, and that in an emergency, the other person is more likely to listen than neutral words.
by pedrik
File argues that the crackdown on abusive language is largely due to the fact that modern F1 has become entertainment value by 'opening up team radio communications to the public.'
Radio communications, originally a private channel for team strategy and decision-making, have now become part of the entertainment world, broadcast to millions of fans. This has given spectators a glimpse into the intensity of the race, but it has also changed the meaning of driver communication, turning what should have been functional interactions into a public performance, File said.
'Team radio communications are not made for entertainment, but for the two-way flow of information that is important during a racing event,' said File. 'We should therefore be discussing what to broadcast, not imposing policies on speech itself. Broadcasters should adapt to the norms of their environment, not the other way around. The FIA's approach treats this as a regulatory issue, not a broadcasting issue, and imposes restrictions on competitors rather than rethinking how private communications are managed for public access.'
'Banning swearing and abuse risks making radio communications seem harmless and staged, diminishing the very feeling that makes F1 racing so engaging and exciting,' File said.