Piastri reacts to changes to the FIA's 'harsh-feeling' swearing ban

15:30, 15 May

Updated: 17:49, 15 May

byNorberto Mujica

Recently, at the behest of President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, controversial measures in the Sporting Guidelines have changed. During the drivers' press conference, Oscar Piastri spoke his piece on the modifications.

Fines cut in half, circumstances will be taken into account when judging a driver's use of vulgar language, and three-place grid drop will be a punishment Stewards may use when a driver 'abuses' race officials.

So, plenty has changed ahead of the fast approaching FIA Presidential elections. When asked what his thoughts were surrounding the guidelines' changes, and whether he felt listened to by the governing body, Piastri was overall positive and understanding of the FIA's intentions.

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"I think the fact that there has been changes made is good. I think also a lot of the things in fine print, the Stewards have a lot more control now, which I think is a good thing as well because I think the circumstances definitely need to be taken into account."

Overall, the Australian describes the modifications as "a good step forward."

Piastri believes that the FIA's intentions were always that of protecting its race officials, and that from there everything snowballed into 'hars-feeling' regulations.

"I think one of the big things for the FIA was putting something [in] for abusing officials, which I think is very fair and very reasonable. I think maybe some of the other areas got a bit caught up in that kind of sentiment and it felt a bit harsh."

"I think there are some genuine reasons behind what they're doing. I think they've listened to some of our feedback and the changes, I think, are in the right direction."