F1 Drivers React To 'Ridiculous' New Maximum Fine Of 1,000,000 Euros

Friday, 20 October 2023 at 14:00

Updated at Wednesday, 25 October 2023 at 21:39

Five of the F1 drivers commented on the newly approved maximum fine for Formula One drivers of 1 Million Euros ahead of the 2023 United States Grand Prix.

FIA has recently announced decisions of the Motor Sport Council in Geneva. One of the most interesting points outlined describes the increase in the maximum fine amount that the stewards can impose:

The previous maximum of 250,000 Euros has been reviewed and amended for the first time in the last twelve years. This amount has been updated for all FIA Championships, but F1 will be the Championship with the highest possible fine of 1,000,000 Euros.

In a recent press conference ahead of the 2023 United States Grand Prix, drivers have been asked to react to this change. Lewis Hamilton was recently fined 50,000 Euros for crossing a track during the Qatar Grand Prix.

The seven-time world Champion recognizes there are many good causes around the world. He said only by funding such good causes can the FIA get the 1 million from him.

"There's a lot of money in this whole industry and a lot more that we need to do in terms of creating better accessibility, better diversity, more opportunities for people who wouldn't normally have the opportunity to get into a sport like this."

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Max Verstappen, who also received a 50,000 euro fine in the past when he touched a Mercedes car wing in 2021, raised a good point, saying "what that offense can be" that would prompt stewards to fine the driver 1 million.

"I would like to know what that offense can be... One mil. If touching a rear wing is €50k, then I would like to know what one mill is. Then maybe we can also sponsor the bottles of wine. I'll get ready."

The Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc agreed with Verstappen and added another point, saying some drivers on the grid earn less money than this amount and could not afford to pay such a high fine.

"It is a huge amount of money. So again, I have no idea about what deserves a 1 million penalty, but it's more than... I mean, some drivers are making less than that, so it's a lot of money and... yeah... I don't know."

As one of the lower-earning drivers on the grid, the Haas driver Kevin Magnussen said the amount sounds 'ridiculous.' He then joked about Leclerc just selling his Richard Mille watch.

"I don't know what offense it is to be a million, but that sounds ridiculous. I mean, Charles can give his watch, but I would disappear, never to be found again."

The AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo, returning to his seat this weekend, agreed with the rest of the previous comments, only adding that the new fine is 'scary.'