Rally drivers worldwide have united in response to the FIA's recent crackdown on swearing and inappropriate language in motorsport. This comes after several high-profile incidents and fines issued to competitors.

The FIA's new rules outline severe penalties for offensive language:

• First offense: €10,000 fine
• Second offense: €20,000 fine plus suspended one-month suspension
• Third offense: €30,000 fine, one-month suspension, and championship points deduction

The World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) has issued a statement highlighting several key concerns:

1. The disproportionate severity of punishments for minor language infractions
2. The challenge for non-native speakers who may not fully understand certain terms
3. The unrealistic expectation of perfect emotional control in high-adrenaline situations
4. The financial burden on non-professional drivers who face the same penalties as professionals
5. The lack of transparency regarding where fine money is allocated

Recent incidents that prompted this response include:

• Adrien Fourmaux's €10,000 fine (plus suspended €20,000) after Rally Sweden
• Sebastien Ogier's €30,000 fine for criticizing officials at Rally Chile
• Max Verstappen's community service punishment following the Singapore Grand Prix

The statement, signed by the entire Rally1 field and prominent WRC2 drivers, calls for direct communication with the FIA President to find an urgent solution that better serves the sport and its participants while maintaining appropriate professional standards.

WoRDA acknowledges the need to respect official decisions but emphasizes that common colloquialisms should not be treated the same as genuine insults or aggressive behavior, especially given the extreme nature of rally racing and its demanding conditions.

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