Adrien Fourmaux, a talented driver from the Hyundai World Rally Team, has recently found himself in hot water after being fined €10,000 for using inappropriate language during a post-race interview at Rally Sweden. The incident occurred following the end of stage 18, where Fourmaux’s comments were deemed to have breached FIA Article 12.2.1.l of the 2025 FIA International Sporting Code.
A Costly Mistake
During the interview, Fourmaux was asked to summarize his rally experience, which included a messy startline incident at the beginning of stage 11. In a moment of candor, the Frenchman admitted, “I had a clean stage, the ruts are really tricky. I think it will be difficult to do a good time. There is a lot of sweeping in the beginning. We f***ed up yesterday [referring to his stage 11 incident].”
This slip of the tongue led to the hefty fine imposed on Fourmaux, as the world motorsport governing body has been cracking down on drivers using swear words during events. The stewards report highlighted that while the words used may have become common colloquialisms, they are still considered profanity and inappropriate for public discourse, especially in live television broadcasts.
Upholding Professionalism and Respect
The FIA emphasized the importance of maintaining a high standard of professionalism and respect in communication, particularly for public figures and role models in the sporting world. As motorsport is a global sport that reaches audiences of diverse cultures and backgrounds, it is crucial to ensure that inappropriate language is not used in public forums, including visual and audible media, press conferences, and social media.
The stewards report concluded that the penalty imposed on Fourmaux, along with the suspended fine, is in line with the FIA’s International Sporting Code guidelines. While the driver explained that he meant no offense by his choice of words and apologized for any unintended harm caused, the incident serves as a reminder for all athletes to be mindful of their language and conduct in public settings.
As fans of the sport, we can appreciate the passion and intensity that drivers like Adrien Fourmaux bring to the rally circuit. However, it is essential to remember the importance of upholding professionalism and respect in all aspects of the sport, both on and off the track. By setting a positive example for future generations of athletes and fans, drivers can continue to inspire and unite audiences around the world through the thrill of motorsport.
