Formula One drivers told to avoid racy language

LONDON, (Reuters) – Formula One drivers have been told to mind their language after world champion Sebastian Vettel and race winner Kimi Raikkonen turned the air blue on the podium at last Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A spokesman for the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Thursday that a private and ‘friendly’ letter had been sent to all teams’ communications directors about the bad language.

The letter reminded them that it was “very much our collective responsibility to make sure drivers are aware such language has no place during media events.”

It added that swearing in broadcast interviews “shines an unwelcome beam of adverse publicity on their teams and sponsors, the sport and FIA.”