WRC drivers’ stage end silence spoke volumes, but what happens now?

The stage end silence by World Rally Championship drivers in response to the FIA’s clampdown on “inappropriate language” sent an “important message” and it appears a meeting this week could help find a solution.

Last weekend at Safari Rally Kenya, drivers and co-drivers represented a united front following the FIA’s decision to issue Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux a €10,000 fine for swearing during an interview at the end of Rally Sweden in February.

In the wake of the fine, WRC competitors formed the World Rally Drivers' Alliance (WoRDA) - similar to Formula 1’s Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA). A strongly worded statement opposing the fine was issued on 24 February.

WoRDA also asked for dialogue with the FIA to find a solution to a situation it deemed “unacceptable”, given the unique circumstances under which rally drivers are expected to speak to television crews seconds after finishing a stage, when emotions often run high.

After failing to receive any communication from the FIA between Sweden and an email minutes before the start of shakedown in Kenya, WRC drivers had already decided to make their point by remaining silent or only speaking in their mother tongue at stage end interviews throughout the event.

They continued to speak with the media, but only in dedicated media zones. At the end of the Power Stage they offered words focussed on their event, teams and the fans.

The FIA is trying to clamp down on driver swearing across motorsport, and in Sweden Fourmaux was the first WRC star to fall foul of that

Photo by: Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport

WoRDA has been clear that it understands the FIA’s stance that drivers are role models, but is asking for some common sense to be implemented when it comes to stage end interviews.

“This is not a protest. If we let this situation carry on it will bring more bad consequences for the WRC on the promotion side than the few bad words themselves,” WoRDA spokesperson and eight-time WRC co-driver champion Julien Ingrassia told Autosport.

“It could look like this is a political speech but this is not the case. When WoRDA says it is searching for solutions for the sport, this is 100% true. We are not fighting against anyone or any entity. This is not to create a position of strength or force or anything. This voice is there to once again make this sport better and stronger."

“We showed that we have a driver alliance now and we are sticking together. We also have a voice and we used the opportunity to show that it is important that we create some dialogue with the FIA - that wasn’t the case before” Thierry Neuville

The stage end interview is an aspect totally unique to rallying. It is key to the storytelling of a rally and hugely popular among fans, as this is an opportunity to engage and connect with drivers as they offer a window into their raw emotions. Its absence and the silence in Kenya were noticeable.

Hyundai boss Cyril Abiteboul said: “I think this silence was actually a way to be louder and to be heard by the whole community, not just one person or one body, [as it was demonstrated that] the WRC without driver comments doesn’t have the same feeling or emotion.”

WoRDA’s stage end silence achieved one of its objectives, with the FIA agreeing to open dialogue with teams. Initially, the FIA wanted to hold a meeting at the next round of the championship in the Canary Islands in five weeks’ time, but the governing body has now been convinced by WoRDA to move that forward to this week.

Stage end interviews were sorely missed in Kenya

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

An FIA statement issued to Autosport following the Safari Rally shakedown – and confirming its decision to open dialogue on the matter – stated that the FIA recognises “it is crucial to assess situations on a case-by-case basis” but maintains that “unnecessary profanity” from drivers “should not be condoned”.

In F1, interestingly, Autosport understands the FIA clarified to drivers at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix that it would tolerate strong language, used over team radio, in the heat of the moment – as long as it is not offensive to others, including race officials or fellow competitors.

If foul language is used during interviews, such as in the TV pen, press conferences or written media sessions, it will be considered a breach of the regulations and reported to the stewards by race direction.

If heat of the moment comments over team radio will be tolerated by the FIA in F1, it offers hope that this approach could be adopted for stage end interviews in the WRC. While drivers were upset that such measures in Kenya had to be taken before the FIA responded, they are pleased that discussions can now be held to find a compromise.

“I think at least we showed that we have a driver alliance now and we are sticking together,” said reigning world champion Thierry Neuville.

“We also have a voice and we used the opportunity to show that it is important that we create some dialogue with the FIA – that wasn’t the case before. It seems like there will be some more exchanges now and up to the next event, which is actually what we had hoped for before Kenya.

Neuville reckons there is now light at the end of the tunnel regarding the swearing matter

Photo by: Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport

“Of course, we are sorry for the spectators but we had so much support which was great to see. People were standing behind us and supporting our decision.”

Current championship leader Elfyn Evans, added: “The whole objective was to open a dialogue and we weren’t able to do that. Although I’m not aware of everything that has gone on as I have been focussing on the rally, I would say it looks like at least a dialogue will happen now. That is what we wanted in the first place to discuss a way forward.”

With the situation unfolding in the context of the WRC’s most gruelling rally, Ingrassia is immensely proud of the way the drivers acted.

“All the parties can be satisfied as by the end of the week we will have a meeting, and we will have plenty of time until the next round to do some fine tuning on what agreement we reach and how we can work together" Julien Ingrassia

“It has definitely been a tough weekend for the crews and I sent them [the WoRDA members] a message after the rally to say that I was really proud of them and they can be proud of themselves as they acted professionally,” said Ingrassia.

“Despite such a tough and rough event... they had such a lot to deal with... but they still kept united and our message was delivered in a really professional way.

“We managed to adjust our speech and vision during the weekend and this is why at the end of the rally, there was a positive speech from all of them to show that once again we are [on a constructive path]. Now our voice has been heard, we want to go forward.”

Will a solution be found in WRC?

More will be known after a meeting between the FIA and WoRDA this week

Photo by: M-Sport

This week’s meeting with the FIA will act as the first step in trying to find a solution to the situation, allowing drivers to offer comments at stage ends without fear. Ingrassia is confident a compromise can be reached “soon” and before April’s round in the Canary Islands.

“I think in the end all the parties can be satisfied as by the end of the week we will have a meeting, and we will have plenty of time before the next round to do some fine tuning on what agreement we reach and how we can work together," Ingrassia added.

“Once again our statements are very clear. We agree with the [FIA] rule to be educated and polite, but we do not agree with how it is implemented. Our sport is unique, football and rugby are very similar but there is only one sport in the world like rallying and we need some adjustments. Now we are going to work on it.

“I am quite confident we will find a solution soon. The good thing about this is people want to hear the driver’s emotions. The fans want to see sweat, blood, tears, smiles, expression and emotion. This is another topic that the federation needs to take into consideration. This is the best leverage to engage with audiences, create stories and create emotion.”