George Russell Brands FIA Ruling "Totally Unnecessary" And "Silly" As Drivers Rally Against It

The Mercedes driver is the next to speak out.

George Russell has also spoken out against the FIA ruling which prohibits drivers from making any personal, political, and religious statements.

This comes after Russell's Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton also addressed the ruling yesterday at the launch event for the W14 ahead of the 2023 season, where he said "nothing will stop him" from speaking out on what he is passionate about.

Russell, who is the director of the drivers' association, explained to the press that:

"I am not too sure why the FIA took a stance like this. It's totally unnecessary in the sport and the world we live in at the moment.

"We are seeking clarification and I trust it will be resolved. I'd like to think it's been a big misunderstanding.

"But I'm not too sure. We are not going to limit our views or our thoughts because of some silly regulation. We are all here to have free speech and share whatever views we may have."

Many of the drivers' have spoken out against the ruling and even F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is not in agreement with it. 

The drivers could face unknown consequences if they don't comply with the ruling, as the FIA has not provided any details on the matter. Despite the potential risks, McLaren driver Lando Norris has expressed his willingness to voice his opinions, even if it means receiving a fine.

In addition, seven-time champion Hamilton acknowledged that drivers may have a threshold for accepting penalties. He elaborated that there may be a point where the penalties become too severe for drivers to comply with.