F1 drivers rally in explosive letter to FIA with unusual 'underpants' request over swearing saga

It came after Max Verstappen was given effective community service for swearing during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix.

In response, Verstappen refused to give full answers in subsequent media appearances that race weekend.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem raised eyebrows prior to the Singapore Grand Prix when he requested drivers to use less colourful language.

He said: "We're not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That's them and we are [us].

Lewis Hamilton hit out at Ben Sulayem at the time for his choice of words and felt there was a 'racial element' in his reference to rap music.

And now the GDPA, which all 20 current F1 drivers are members of, has issued a scathing open letter aimed at the FIA in response to the swearing saga.

Their statement read: "As is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the referee's decision, whether they like it or not, indeed whether they agree with it or not. This is how sport works. The drivers (our members) are no different and fully understand that.

"Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every racing weekend they put on a great show for the fans.

"With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather or indeed an inanimate object such as an F1 car, or driving situation.

"We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to given instructions via the media about matters as trivial as wearing of jewellery and underpants.

"The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that Driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our Sport. For the past 3 years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA’s financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent.

"We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the Sport. We once again request that the FIA President provides financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the Teams and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our Sport.

"The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great Sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it. We are playing our part."

Hamilton has previously been under scrutiny from the FIA for his jewellery in the F1 paddock.

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Back in 2022, race director Niels Wittich reminded drivers that wearing metallic objects in the car was prohibited and pointed out fireproof clothing - including underwear - was a necessity in the cockpit.

Drivers were told that the FIA could even check whether drivers were complying with the underwear regulations at their own discretion.

The clampdown over the rules led to an interesting response from some of the drivers at the time.

Pierre Gasly gladly welcomed the FIA to 'check my a** every single weekend'. He added: "If that makes them happy, then feel free.”