Adrien Fourmaux has been fined €10,000 and hit with a further suspended €20,000 fine for using “inappropriate language” during a World Rally Championship television interview.
The Hyundai driver’s comments following the end of stage 18 at Rally Sweden have been deemed to have breached FIA Article 12.2.1.l of the 2025 FIA International Sporting Code.
Fourmaux was asked for a summary of his rally that included a “messy” startline incident at the beginning of stage 11, where the Frenchman began the stage without his helmet strap properly fastened.
“I had a clean stage, the ruts are really tricky,” he said. “I think it will be difficult to do a good time.
“There is a lot of sweeping in the beginning. We f***ed up yesterday [referring to his stage 11 incident].”
The fine follows a move by the world motorsport governing body to clamp down on drivers using swear words during events.
“Following the completion of the Power Stage of Rally Sweden 2025, the driver conducted a post-stage interview and concluded the interview with the words ‘… we f***ed up yesterday’,” read a stewards report.
“The Rally.TV commentator then proceeded to respond to the driver’s comment with ‘Apologies for the language there’.
“The driver explained that he was referring to the mistake(s) he had made on the previous day [Saturday, February 15, 2025] and that he used the words in a colloquial and descriptive way, in the sense that he had made a mistake. He apologised as he did not mean to offend or insult anyone by using those words.
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photo by: Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
“The stewards reminded the driver and the team representative of the stance of the FIA regarding not only inappropriate language but also verbal/physical abuse, and making/displaying political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its statutes.
“The stewards and the FIA acknowledge that the words in question have unfortunately become common colloquialisms. However, it is essential to emphasise that this does not diminish the fact that such language is widely regarded as profanity and is inappropriate in public discourse, including live television broadcasts.
“Public platforms are not solely intended for audiences familiar with these colloquialisms but also reach diverse cultures and individuals, who may find such words offensive.
“Motorsport is a global sport, engaging people of various age groups and cultural backgrounds, some of whom may misinterpret or take offence to these expressions.
“Given this, the FIA remains committed to ensuring that inappropriate language is not used in public forums, including visual and audible media, press conferences, and social media.
“Furthermore, as public figures and role models for future generations of athletes and fans, sportspersons are expected to uphold a standard of professionalism and respect in their communication.”
The stewards report concluded that “the aforementioned penalty, as well as the suspended penalty, is proportional” to the FIA’s ISC guidelines.
In this article
Tom Howard
WRC
Adrien Fourmaux
Hyundai Motorsport
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