Ben Sulayem lets Norris off the hook for F-bomb at FIA Awards
New F1 champion Lando Norris escaped a fine for swearing during his FIA Awards speech after President Mohammed Ben Sulayem jokingly waived the penalty, contrasting with past stricter enforcement for similar conduct breaches.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has humorously excused Lando Norris for swearing on stage during his victory speech at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony, sparing the new World Champion a potential fine. The incident occurred as Norris celebrated his first Drivers' Championship title in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Why it matters:
This lighthearted moment highlights a shift in tone from a previous, stricter enforcement of the FIA's code of conduct. It underscores the governing body's balancing act between maintaining professional decorum at formal events and acknowledging the raw, emotional moments that define a championship season, especially for a first-time winner.
The details:
- During his speech, Norris referenced the season's challenges, saying, "We had our fair share of mistakes and f*** ups. Can I say that here? I’m okay? Oh, sorry. I got fined. I can pay it off now."
- Before presenting the trophy, President Ben Sulayem addressed the slip, stating, "First of all, when he said the ‘F’ [word], it was going to be a €5,000 fine."
- He then waived the penalty with a joke about Norris's hair, which he had just ruffled on stage: "But now I think you need it for your hair after I messed it!"
- This contrasts with a previous penalty given to Max Verstappen, who was required to complete community service for swearing during an official FIA press conference at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
The big picture:
The incident occurred against the backdrop of Ben Sulayem's recent re-election as FIA President for another term, which was confirmed at the same General Assembly in Tashkent. His unopposed re-election, supported by Vice-Presidential candidate Fabiana Ecclestone, solidifies his leadership for the coming period. The leniency shown to Norris may reflect a pragmatic approach to athlete relations, distinguishing between spontaneous celebratory remarks and violations in more formal, regulated settings like press conferences.
What's next:
While Norris avoids a fine, the episode serves as a gentle reminder of the FIA's expectations for driver conduct. The governing body will likely continue to handle such incidents on a case-by-case basis, weighing context and intent. For Norris, the moment becomes a memorable, human footnote in the story of his first championship celebration.