Image credit Noah Lewis on X
Formula 1 clamps down even harder this season on its drivers swearing, whilst at the first NASCAR race of the season an entire stadium of fans just swore at one particular driver.
Some of the biggest news in the Formula 1 off-season was that the sport’s governing body the FIA are doubling-down on their efforts to prevent F1 drivers from swearing.
This first came about in 2024 after FIA boss Muhamed Ben-Sulayem introduced punishments for potty-mouthed Formula 1 drivers. And a couple of big names quickly fell foul of the rule; 4-time champion Max Verstappen had to ‘complete work of public interest’ after swearing in a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was fined 10,000 Euros for doing the same at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Now the FIA has gone one step further. The latest addition to their 2025 Sporting Code says that fines, championship point deductions and even potential race bans await those who dare drop an expletive.
Meanwhile, over in NASCAR, 30,000 fans at Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina just gave driver number 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. the middle finger after he wrecked their local hero.
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F1 has spent decades building a polished, global brand. They have their luxury sponsors, VIP paddock passes worth over $20,000 and a TV audience that’s accustomed to restrained, corporate-friendly broadcasts. Sure, there are passionate fans, but the FIA is clearly trying to sanitize driver behavior for the cameras. No more swearing, no more unsanctioned outbursts. It’s all about “professionalism.”
But racing isn’t professional in the heat of the moment. It’s emotional, gritty, and tensions flare, especially when there’s a lot on the line. That’s why NASCAR thrives on its raw, unfiltered culture. Rivalries, fights, and fiery language have been part of its DNA for as long as fans can remember. NASCAR doesn’t just allow these outbursts—it celebrates them.
One badass bullring. pic.twitter.com/90OWKwwds6
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
Take the incident at this year’s NASCAR Clash. At Bowman Gray Stadium, Burt Myers isn’t just a driver; he’s a local legend. He’s won 11 Modified titles at the ‘Madhouse’ and carries the hopes of every local fan who grew up watching him race there.
So when Ricky Stenhouse Jr, a full-time Cup Series driver, made contact and sent Myers into the wall with 13 laps to go in the Last Chance Qualifier race, it wasn’t just a wreck—it was sacrilege. Stenhouse might as well have waved a red flag in front of an angry herd of bulls.
The crowd reaction was instant, iconic and to be expected. As Stenhouse slowed during the red flag which he caused, pretty much the entire grandstand—around 30,000 people—flipped him off. It was one of those moments that define NASCAR. Passionate fans expressing raw anger in unison, all captured perfectly on camera.
Race fans show their displeasure to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. after contact that puts out fan-favorite Burt Meyers. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/f3Arx8zqSK
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) February 3, 2025
Compare this to F1, where a driver could now be penalized simply for venting his frustrations on the radio.
Imagine telling a NASCAR driver that they’d lose points or face a one-month suspension for swearing at a rival. It would be laughed off as a joke. NASCAR fans expect their drivers to be human—to get mad, push each other around, and say what’s on their minds. That’s why fights like the one between Stenhouse and Kyle Busch at the 2024 All-Star Race aren’t seen as embarrassing incidents—they’re seen as part of the spectacle.
The FIA seems terrified of anything that might tarnish the sport’s image. But by clamping down on every emotional outburst, they risk sterilizing the very moments that make racing relatable.
NASCAR, on the other hand, knows exactly who it is. It’s a sport where tempers flare, fists fly, and fans don’t hold back. Bowman Gray Stadium was a perfect reminder of that.