Formula 1 is all fun and games, until somebody swears.
This time it was Mercedes’ George Russell, who let out a brief ‘oh s***’ during an unexpected power cut at Bahrain pre-season testing.
The paddock was plunged into darkness out of nowhere, while floodlights around the track went out, although thankfully there was still enough natural light for Carlos Sainz – the only car on track – to find his way back.
With the first session of the season red flagged, the disruption quickly became light-hearted and memes were made up and down the grid.
Russell joined in on the act during a media interview saying: “Oh s*** there’s no lights on,” but there’s plenty more context behind his swearing to stop it being a laughing matter.
After handing out a punishment to Max Verstappen for saying his car was ‘f****d’ in a press conference last season, F1’s governing body, the FIA have since codified a so-called ‘swearing ban’ making it a permanent rule change and fixture going forwards.
The subject dominated the F1 75 car launch at London’s O2 with the drivers universally panning it.
It’s also been used for the first time, with World Rally Championship driver Adrien Fourmaux given a €10,000 [£8,300] fine for swearing on a live broadcast – which Russell now risks repeating.
The Brit is a chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) and a spokesperson for the grid, and has regularly criticised the FIA and requested better communication.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA since the start of 2022, is becoming an increasingly unpopular figure over issues such as the swearing ban and a jewellery ban, while also criticising drivers for ‘political statements’.
In November the GPDA wrote a letter asking for the organisation to treat them like adults, claiming the fines are inappropriate.
The FIA never replied, and then, a month later, Ben Sulayem and Russell clashed in the media.
At the start of December, Russell suggested the use of permanent stewards after Tim Mayer was sacked from that role with no notice or explanation.
Ben Sulayem responded in brutal fashion, saying: “They don’t want to pay for it. That is so obvious.
“They talk and then they say: ‘Where are you putting the money? Why we don’t do this?’ But I don’t say, ‘Oh, sorry, what about you?’ The drivers are getting over $100million. Do I ask where they spend it? No, it’s up to them. It’s their right.”
Just two weeks later they again butted heads, with the GPDA asking for clarity over changes to the FIA’s compliance system in a statement.
The Emirate head then again chose conflict over resolution, saying: “It’s none of their business.
“Sorry. With all respect, I am a driver. I respect the drivers. Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race.”
Russell isn’t the only one to already risk a fine either, with Lando Norris also blurting out a swear word during the live broadcast of the F1 75 event in London.