The FIA has taken a strict line regarding what drivers are allowed to say. This has already led to some almost comical situations this season.
Drivers’ patience finally snapped after Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux was fined €10,000 during Rally Sweden for swearing in a post-stage interview.
Following that, the WRC drivers joined forces and staged a media boycott at the Safari Rally Kenya. They refused to give traditional interviews at stage ends, and if they did speak, it was only in their native languages. The situation looked embarrassing, forcing the FIA to climb down from its “ivory tower” and respond. The FIA assured that it was working towards reaching an agreement with the drivers.
Hyundai star driver and reigning world champion Thierry Neuville felt that the protest was necessary.
“It was the right time to show that we are united and that something needs to be done,” Neuville commented to Diario AS.
“If nobody says anything, nothing will change. Right now, we’re in a tough situation with the championship. At Hyundai, we don’t even know about our future, so we can’t just accept the current situation,” Neuville continued.
In recent years, the WRC has appeared somewhat chaotic. There seems to be no clear direction for the championship’s development. New manufacturers are needed, but at the moment the WRC does not look like an attractive option for anyone. Drivers cannot be accused of a lack of effort.
“We’ve been asking for changes for two years, but hardly anything has happened,” Neuville blasted.
“We’re in danger of losing a manufacturer, and I just don’t want to sit and wait. That’s why we’re all fighting now,” Neuville added.
The new WRC regulations are set to come into force next year. However, the full picture has yet to come together, and that concerns Neuville.
“The new rules are not yet fully clear, and if they are not announced soon, no new manufacturers will come in,” Neuville stressed.
