‘Won't say thank you any time soon' – George Russell reacts as hated F1 rule is overturned
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GEORGE RUSSELL "won't be saying thank you" anytime soon after blasting Formula One's swearing rules as too "ridiculous" in the first place.
The Mercedes star, who sits fourth in the Championship standings, showed no gratitude to F1's governing body after labelling the walk-back on rules as "suspect" ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
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George Russell has criticised the FIA's stance on swearing and criticising officials
Credit: Getty
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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem dramatically reduced the fines after receiving backlash
Credit: AFP
On Wednesday, the FIA climbed down on its previous stance of drivers facing potential bans and point deductions for swearing or criticising officials, and dramatically reduced the possible fines that can be issued.
Crucially, the stewards are now able to differentiate between 'controlled' and 'non-controlled' environments, meaning drivers are highly unlikely to be punished for swearing while competing, but will still face action for using offensive language in press conferences.
But Russell, was unmoved by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem cutting the first time fines from £33,700 down to £4,200.
The 27-year-old said: "I didn't really have any reaction to the announcement because it was so ridiculous in the first place that we are just basically reverting on that.
"At the end of the day we're not going to be saying thank you for something that was so crazy in the first place.
"We've just gone back to something that is slightly more in the name of common sense
"But we should never have moved away from that in the first place. You know, we shouldn't even be having this conversation."
Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, also revealed that he "wonders if the change was strategic timing" given that Ben Sulayem is up for re-election at the end of the season.
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Ben Sulayem said when the rule change was announced that he had "led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships".
But, Russell has refused that claim, saying: "We've still had no correspondence with anyone from the senior level at the FIA. So yeah, it's all a bit suspect."
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Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, 40, also agreed that the situation was "ridiculous".
The seven-time champion said: "It seems a bit of a mess there at the moment. There are lots of changes that are needed, for sure."
Red Bull's Max Verstappen - who last year was the first driver to be punished for saying his car was "f***ed" with a form of community service - said the change was "a bit better and it's a start".
Incredibly, Russell and Verstappen both backed the potential bid of Carlos Sainz Sr, the father of Williams driver Sainz, in this December's FIA presidential election.
When asked if Sainz would be a better president, the world champion Red Bull star bluntly replied: 'You can fill that in yourself.
"He's very well respected in the world here and in the rally world as a former rally driver.
"Of course people always say it's conflicting with his son but I think he's professional enough to keep that separated from each other.
"I think it would be a great addition to run for president."
Russell also dismissed the idea there could be a conflict of interest because of Sainz's son, who is also a GPDA director.
The Brit said: "You're so far removed from a technical standpoint. It's down to the technical people within the FIA to be the rule makers.
"The president in years gone by has probably been far less involved than what we've seen recently and far less visible."
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