The World Rally Championship (WRC) is set to reinstate stage-end interviews at this week’s Rally Islas Canarias, following a resolution between the FIA and the World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) over penalties for swearing during events.
The dispute began after Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000, with an additional €20,000 suspended, for using inappropriate language during a television interview at Rally Sweden. This incident led WRC drivers to protest by remaining silent or speaking in their native languages during interviews at the Safari Rally Kenya.
In response, WoRDA, led by eight-time world champion co-driver Julien Ingrassia, engaged in discussions with the FIA. The parties agreed that drivers will no longer face penalties for swearing in spontaneous, high-pressure situations such as stage-end interviews or team radio communications. However, the use of inappropriate language will still be sanctioned in formal settings like press conferences and official media zones.
Ingrassia emphasized the unique nature of rallying, noting that drivers often participate in numerous live interviews under intense conditions during events. He stated, “We reached a very good solution… Now we have decided that the rally itinerary is divided into two zones,” distinguishing between controlled and uncontrolled environments for language use.
While the agreement is in effect, the FIA’s International Sporting Code has not yet been updated to reflect these changes. Nevertheless, the consensus allows the WRC community to focus on the sport as they head into the Rally Islas Canarias.