Hello rally fans :)!
This is an update to my previous post about WoRDA’s statement regarding the FIA’s excessive penalties for language use in the WRC. After facing strong criticism from drivers and co-drivers, the FIA has now responded, but instead of addressing the key concerns, they’ve essentially reinforced their existing stance.
In their response, the FIA stated: “The FIA is committed to ensuring that motor sport remains a welcoming environment for all. Participants are reminded of their obligations to adhere to the FIA Code of Ethics and other applicable regulations, including those that prohibit any conduct or language that may cause offense, damage the reputation of motor sport, or bring it into disrepute.”
Saying “we fucked up” isn’t doing the damage they think it does, Adrien essentially criticized HIMSELF!!!!!! Not FIA not WRC Promoter or anyone else. Saying something like “yeah you know FIA sucks ass and WRC is shit” is actual damage.
They further justified the penalties by stating: “This approach is consistent across all FIA championships and aligns with our responsibility to uphold the integrity and professionalism of the sport.”
Now, I find it absolutely hilarious that the FIA is talking about “acts that could be deemed detrimental to the sport” when, in reality, they themselves are damaging it the most. How exactly does a frustrated word or two after an intense, high adrenaline stage harm the reputation of motorsport more than the FIA’s constant disconnect from the drivers, teams, and fans? I don’t know a single thing they fixed or adapted by the demand of fans. FANS!!! PEOPLE THAT GIVE RALLY A MEANING!!!! If anything, their lack of transparency, out of touch regulations, and disproportionate penalties are what’s really hurting the sport’s image. You see how they ignored where they asked FIA to be transparent with where does the money EXACTLY GO? Yeah says more than enough. Look at F1. Such a huge event and they don’t pay their marshals but be assured that FIA officials make thousands on such events. They disgust me so much.
And let’s talk about the absurdity of expecting perfect composure from drivers in rallying. Unlike many other sports, WRC shoves a microphone in a competitor’s face literally the second they cross the finish line of a stage. They’ve just fought through extreme conditions: snow, mud, gravel, dust, pushing themselves and their cars to the absolute limit, only to have a camera and mic immediately capturing their raw emotions in real time. Where else does this happen? Other sports don’t throw a microphone in a player’s face the moment they step off the field after a heated play, nor do they broadcast live, uncensored mics from players in the middle of a game without a delay to bleep out any strong language.
Hey let’s ask Max Verstappen to give an interview every few laps🥰? Or NASCAR drivers?
I get that the FIA wants to keep things “family friendly,” but at what cost? If they keep trying to sanitize motorsport into this boring, corporate friendly product, they’re going to suck the life out of it entirely. If they really want to go down this path, then why not just make WRC an 18+ event and let drivers speak freely? Or are they too afraid of upsetting sponsors while simultaneously stripping competitors of free speech? YOU LITERALLY SEE PEOPLE SHOW THEIR BUNS ON STAGES, PEOPLE HAVE SEX AND IT ALL GETS ON LIVE TV? How’s that family friendly? Like a 12 year old kid won’t know how to say a swear word in a year. Spectators are so drunk on the stages and it’s gets live streamed, it’s obviously only a problem if a driver does it.
At this point, I honestly hope the drivers take a stand by refusing to do interviews at all during rallies. If the FIA wants them to be so robotic and censored, let’s see how entertaining the sport is when no one speaks. Maybe then they’ll realize that personality, emotion, and authenticity are what keep fans engaged not sterile, scripted PR answers designed to avoid fines. Fans stand with drivers and would rather not have them do interviews than to get ridiculous fines.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. Thank you for upvoting, reblogging & commenting. It is greatly appreciated :)❤️!
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Meme credit to Rally Troll :)