The FIA, the world automobile association, has significantly increased the maximum fine in Formula 1 and frightened the drivers. At its meeting in Geneva, the FIA decided to sanction serious violations of the rules on the race track with a fine of up to one million euros. The maximum value so far was 250,000 euros.
A group of prominent drivers were confronted with the rule change for the first time on Thursday at a press conference in advance of the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas (9 p.m. CEST/Sky).
“That’s a lot of money. I have no idea what justifies a fine of one million euros,” said Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. For Haas driver Kevin Magnussen the news sounded “ridiculous”, veteran Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri) called it “scary”.
Meanwhile, record world champion Lewis Hamilton campaigned for targeted use of the money collected. “It’s the first time I’ve heard of this. If they’re asking for a million euros, we should make sure it goes to a good cause. There’s a lot of money in this business and we can make a big difference,” said the Mercedes star.
The FIA justified the change by saying that the amount of the maximum penalty had remained unchanged over the past twelve years. That does not correspond to the current needs of motorsport.