F1 drivers fume as fines can now reach one million euros

Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has announced maximum fines for drivers are to be quadrupled from €250,000 to €1,000,000, with drivers reacting with anger and confusion at the decision.

Charles LeClerc of Ferrari reacted with confusion, telling the BBC, “I have no idea what deserves a 1m euros penalty”, the Monégasque driver also noted some drivers earn less than a million euros per season.

The increase is meant as a deterrent for drivers and teams, with all fines going towards funding for lower levels of motorsport.

Per BBC reporting, there is currently no clarity on what sort of misstep could result in the maximum fine, adding more confusion for the drivers, with Max Verstappen saying, “If touching a rear wing is $50k, I would like to know what a million is”.

Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton noted, “There is a lot of money in this industry and there is a lot more we need to do in terms of creating better accessibility and diversity. That's the only way they'll get that million from me.”

Outspoken driver Fernando Alonso has made his feelings clear, telling reporters, “It sounds not appropriate. It is the first news I had coming from you, so I need to understand better, but we are in a sport that is already considered very elite, very closed.” Suggesting the fine could be another barrier to entry in a sport that is inaccessible to most.

The FIA released a statement announcing their decision in which they said, “This amount has not been reviewed nor amended for at least the last 12 years and does not reflect the current needs of motorsport”.

Given how the drivers have reacted to this decision, it will be interesting to follow throughout the next few years to see if any driver or team is fined the maximum amount, and what their indiscretion was to receive such a punishment.