George Russell has questioned the need for major fines for Formula
1 drivers, highlighting more serious ongoing issues in the world.
Recently, the FIA increased the maximum potential fine from
€250,000 to €1 million as it had “not been reviewed nor amended for
at least the last 12 years and does not reflect the current needs
of motorsport”. Although no driver has ever received the maximum
fine, the decision was criticised by across the grid. Some of the
heaviest fines that have been handed out in recent years include
€50,000 for Max Verstappen after touching Lewis Hamilton’s rear
wing in Brazil two years ago while the car was in parc ferme
conditions. Hamilton was also handed a €50,000 fine (half of which
was suspended for 12 months) for walking on a live track after
crashing out of the Qatar Grand Prix. Russell has condemned the
rule, asserting there are more pressing issues around the world.
“We just want transparency and understanding,” Russell told media
including RacingNews365. . “I think already the fines are getting
out of control. You know how Verstappen got fined €50,000 for
touching a car, Lewis being fined €50,000 (for crossing the track
in Qatar, although half was suspended for 12 months). “It feels
like these numbers have been plucked out of the air. “There’s a lot
of greater global issues going on. So much poverty around the
world. [I don’t understand] how a federation can just make up these
fines of six figures, seven-figure fines.” Costs split throughout
the grid Drivers can also pick up fines for speeding in the pit
lane during the race weekend, with €100 added for every km/h over
the speed limit they go. There is also a fee to be paid for the
Super Licence which is based on a flat figure of €10,400 with a
further €2,100 added for every point scored in the previous
championship. Russell has stated that these figures are sometimes
paid for by teams if a driver has that outlined in their contract.
“It’s very dependent on the personal contracts, but it’s the same
with the Super License,” said Russell. “Some drivers are paying
their own Super License and some drivers, the teams are covering
it. “I would say there’s probably 40 per cent of the grid are
making less than this maximum fine [of €1m]. “That’s income and not
taking into consideration the outgoings, the travelling around the
world the people you need as part of your team. It’s pretty
obscene.”
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