Toto Wolff Next To Fight FIA Ruling

Mercedes CEO and team principal Toto Wolff has stressed the significance of providing a platform for all opinions, amid the ongoing backlash against the FIA's ruling to prohibit drivers from making any personal, religious, or political statements.

Under the revised International Sporting Code, racers must obtain prior written consent before expressing political opinions during Formula One race weekends.

The ruling has been met with a huge amount of backlash from drivers across the grid. Addressing the FIA ruling, Wolff said:

"We have got to give the opportunity for everyone to speak their minds whilst being respectful to each other.

"Mohammed has put in quite a new, broad organisation with a new CEO but Formula 1 has always been close to his heart, I guess.

"I think we just need to see how that pans out at the beginning of the season."

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has caused quite a stir lately which has resulted in him stepping away from the day-to-day control of Formula One.

One of the driver's to have a big say on the matter is seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton who has used his platform to fight against social issues and fight for increased diversity and inclusivity within the sport. Speaking about the ruling, the British driver confirmed that "nothing will stop" him from talking about what he passionate about.

He said:

“It [the FIA rule] doesn’t surprise me.

“But nothing will stop me from speaking on the things that I feel that I’m passionate about and issues that there are.

“I feel the sport does have a responsibility still to always speak out on things, to create awareness and on important topics.

“Particularly as we’re travelling to all these different places, and so nothing changes.”

He continued:

“I think it would be silly to say that I would want to get penalty points for speaking out on things.

“But as I said to you, I’m still going to be speaking my mind.

“We still have this platform, there are still a lot of things that we need to tackle. But the support of Stefano has been amazing.

“I think all the drivers have been very much aligned on freedom of speech.”

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