Entering the 2025 world motorsport season, there was a substantial talking point that dominated discussion, including in Formula 1.

Driver misconduct.

Last winter, the FIA introduced a controversial “Appendix B,” instituting new penalties for driver misconduct, including swearing. With penalties accelerating based on the number of violations and the series involved — with the most significant financial penalties reserved for F1 drivers — and potential suspensions and sporting penalties on the table, many wondered if Appendix B would impact the future of motorsport.

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However, the FIA is taking a step back.

The governing body unveiled a series of changes to Appendix B on Wednesday, changes that not only reduce the maximum financial penalties but also give race officials the option to suspend penalties fully for certain breaches.

In a statement released by the FIA, the motorsport governing body outlined that the “base maximum penalty has been reduced generally from €10,000 to €5,000. This is a reduction of 50%. However, for FIA World Championships, where multipliers were involved, the reductions will be even more significant.”

Race stewards not only can fully suspend penalties for a driver’s first infraction, but can “differentiate between controlled and non-controlled environments.” While driver conduct will be governed in “controlled” environments such as press conferences, comments made in the heat of the moment — such as on the track or during a rally stage — will fall under the “non-controlled” category.

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The FIA also stated that “[m]itigating circumstances will continue to be considered” under the revised Appendix B.

You can read the fully revised Appendix B here.

“As a former rally driver, I know firsthand the range of emotions that are faced during competition. I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships, FIA Member Clubs and other motor sports organisations,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“The improvements the FIA has announced today to Appendix B will ensure we continue to promote the best of sportsmanship in motor sport, while also giving Stewards effective guidelines to act against individuals who may bring the sport into disrepute. The FIA will always be committed to ensuring motor sport is accessible for all our sporting family.”

By Ben Morse, CNN

(CNN) — The FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, announced on Wednesday a major dialing back of the penalties issued to drivers for cursing after a groundswell of opposition towards the new regulations.

In rules introduced by the FIA ahead of the season, F1 drivers could be penalized – with monetary fines or loss of championship points – for cursing in press conferences.

Fines started at €40,000 ($41,600) for a driver’s first offense, with it doubling for a second breach of the rules as well as a suspended one-month ban. A third offense would potentially bring about a €120,000 ($125,000) fine, a one-month ban and the loss of championship points.

But the FIA scaled back those regulations on Wednesday after continued complaints from high-level F1 drivers.

Following the amendment of Appendix B in FIA International Sporting Code, the base maximum penalties for drivers will be reduced generally from €10,000 ($11,210) to €5,000 ($5,600) – a reduction of 50% – although “for FIA World Championships, where multipliers were involved, the reductions will be even more significant,” the governing body said.

The FIA also said that stewards can suspend a penalty in certain cases if it’s a first offense by a driver or team. Stewards will also be permitted to adjudge whether language was used in “controlled” or “uncontrolled” environments to assess whether a penalty is deemed necessary – a “controlled” environment is defined as a press conferences and an “uncontrolled” environment is a “spontaneous comments made by drivers or teams when on track or during a rally stage.”

The new guidelines also state that “abuse of officials will now result in sporting penalties rather than fines, aligning motor sport with other major global sports organizations.”

“As a former rally driver, I know firsthand the range of emotions that are faced during competition. I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships, FIA Member Clubs and other motor sports organizations,” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said.

“The improvements the FIA has announced today to Appendix B will ensure we continue to promote the best of sportsmanship in motor sport, while also giving Stewards effective guidelines to act against individuals who may bring the sport into disrepute. The FIA will always be committed to ensuring motor sport is accessible for all our sporting family.”

The original penalties implemented before this season were criticized by many F1 drivers who thought they were excessive. Drivers, including reigning world champion Max Verstappen, also complained about the lack of dialogue between them and the FIA around addressing any issues.

Ronan Morgan, president of the drivers’ committee, said that the changing of the rules around cursing “further strengthen the FIA’s International Sporting Code supporting our drivers by understanding the pressures they face during the heat of competition.”

“Drivers are looked up to as role models by young fans and are rightly seen as ambassadors for the wider world of motor sport, how they act really does matter but it is important to recognize that there is a difference between what is said during a race and in a press conference,” Morgan said.

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Beginning with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Motor Speedway on May 25, five NASCAR Cup Series races will be shown exclusively on a streaming service for the first time in NASCAR history. 

Prime Video will broadcast the Coca-Cola 600, Nashville, Michigan, Mexico City and Pocono in a stretch of races from May 25 to June 22. 

Joining lap-by-lap announcer Adam Alexander and former crew chief Steve Letarte in the broadcast booth for Prime Video’s coverage will be NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., who returns to the booth after a one-year absence. 

Earnhardt Jr. was a color commentator for NBC from 2018-23, and joins both Prime Video and Turner Sports for a total of 10 races this season. 

As fans prepare to switch over to Prime Video to watch Cup Series racing, Earnhardt Jr. expects the transition to be a relatively easy one. 

“I don’t know that it’s going to be that big of a transition (for fans),” Earnhardt Jr. said in a virtual news conference on Wednesday. “It’ll probably happen pretty seamlessly and quick.” 

In 2022, Prime Video became the exclusive home of “Thursday Night Football.” Earnhardt Jr. says the “TNF” broadcasts are a good representation of what fans can expect from the streaming service’s maiden voyage of NASCAR coverage. 

“I would say you can look at the ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage, and all the bells and whistles,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “That would be a good way to look at how Amazon’s race coverage might look and how it might differ somewhat.”

“At the same time, there will be a lot of things that are very traditional – a three-man booth, the faces you may see. There will be some things that will be expected, but there will be some new technology to show some data and information for our fans that are watching.”

In a similar fashion to how the CW covered the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs in anticipation of every Xfinity Series race being televised on the CW in 2025, Prime Video has given fans a similar opportunity to get familiar with the service. Aside from the Clash, Daytona 500 and the upcoming All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, Prime Video has been the carrier for Cup Series practice and qualifying through the first 12 races while using Fox Sports’ broadcast talent and production. 

Prime Video will continue to cover practice and qualifying for the Cup Series during its five-race stretch of races. 

“I’m excited about (the broadcast),” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I think all of the networks push each other to put good products out on Sunday. Amazon will bring some really cool ideas and ways of approaching the sport that will be better. I’m grateful to be a part of that team.”

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

RFK Racing will welcome fans to its Concord, North Carolina headquarters on Friday, May 23 for its annual Fan Day celebration, just ahead of the iconic Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend. This year’s event will include autograph sessions with RFK drivers, guided shop tours, interactive partner displays, live SiriusXM coverage, and a major partnership announcement that fans won’t want to miss.

This year’s Fan Day will also feature an exciting team announcement scheduled 12:00PM in front of the team museum located at 4600 Roush Place. While details remain under wraps, fans in attendance will be among the first to hear exclusive news that will shape the future of RFK Racing.

The day’s autograph sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. ET with NASCAR Champion Brad Keselowski, followed by a 10:00 a.m. ET session featuring Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece. Both sessions will take place inside the RFK team museum and require a limited-access ticket, available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, SiriusXM will broadcast live from Fan Day.

Renowned motorsports artist Bill Patterson will be creating a live painting on-site, beginning at 9:00 a.m. with a final reveal scheduled for around 11:00 a.m. The artwork will capture the energy and spirit of RFK Racing and will later be replicated on merchandise available in the RFK Racing Gift Shop. Proceeds from these items will benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation, which supports children and families affected by pediatric cancer.

Also returning this year are guided tours of the RFK Campus. Fans will get to experience the full operations of RFK’s shop in a guided tour led by RFK team members. Registration for those tours is available on-site at the designated RFK tent.

RFK’s valued partners will be engaging with fans throughout the day with interactive displays and branded experiences. Participating organizations include BuildSubmarines.com, Castrol, Consumer Cellular, Fastenal, Fifth Third Bank, Ford, Esperion, and Kroger Racing, as well as Celsius, Colgate, Kraft, and Bimbo. Roush Performance, the Checkered Flag Foundation, and Driven will also be featured as part of the day’s activities.

Other Fan Day attractions include driving simulators, tire changing unit, photo opportunities with team trophies, food trucks, access to the team store, live music, and more. Plus, Lake Norman Humane will be coordinating pet adoptions.

In collaboration, Rick Ware Racing will also hold a complimentary fan event in the area adjacent to RFK’s display, that will feature various race vehicles and driver autograph sessions, including its NASCAR and NHRA Top Fuel Dragster cars.

RFK’s team store hours during Coca-Cola 600 week and weekend are as follows:

• Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET
• Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
• Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET

For more details and updates relating to Fan Day, stay tuned to RFK’s social channels (rfkracing) in the coming days and weeks.

RFK Racing PR