Hello rally fans :)!
Today WoRDA - [World Rally Drivers Alliance] made a strong and much needed statement aimed at FIA.
The world of rallying is full of adrenaline, passion, and high stake competition. But recently, a new issue has arose: the increasing severity of sanctions imposed on drivers for minor, unintentional language lapses. In a powerful statement, the World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA) has come together to address this growing concern, calling for clarity, fairness, and transparency from the FIA. Here’s a breakdown of their statement, why it matters, and why I fully support their cause.
The Statement: A Unified Voice for Rally Drivers
The rally drivers and co-drivers of WoRDA, inspired by their colleagues in the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), have issued a collective statement to express their concerns and seek a constructive way forward. The statement, signed by some of the biggest names in the sport- including Sébastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanperä, Ott Tänak, Thierry Neuville, and many others —highlights the unique challenges rally drivers face and calls for urgent dialogue with the FIA President.
Here’s the full text of their statement:
STATEMENT OF WORLD RALLY DRIVERS ALLIANCE REGARDING "DRIVER MISCONDUCT"
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The Rally Drivers and Co-drivers of WoRDA, inspired by their GPDA colleagues, join together to express their opinion, seek clarity, and cooperate towards a brighter future.
First and foremost, we wish to state that, as is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the Referee's decision. The respect of this principle is not in question.
We are not all full-time professionals, yet we all face the same extreme conditions with the same relentless passion. Whether navigating through dense forests, across frozen roads in the dead of night, or through the dust of treacherous gravel tracks, we push ourselves to the limit—against the elements, against the clock, and against our own limits.
Beyond racing, our role has expanded. Today, rally drivers and co-drivers are not only athletes but also entertainers, content creators, and constant media figures. From the smartphones of spectators to the official WRC cameras, we are expected to be available at all times—before, during, and after competition, from dawn to dusk.
WoRDA has always recognized our responsibilities and commitment to collaborate in a constructive way with all stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote and elevate our outstanding sport for the benefit of all.
In recent months, however, there has been an alarming increase in the severity of the sanctions imposed for minor, isolated, and unintentional language lapses. This has reached an unacceptable level.
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We strongly believe that:
- Common colloquialism cannot be considered and judged as equal to genuine insult or an act of aggression.
- Non-mother-tongue speakers may use or repeat terms without full awareness of their meaning and connotation.
- Seconds after an extreme adrenaline spike, it is unrealistic to expect perfect and systematic control over emotions.
Rally is extreme: the risk level for the athletes, the intensity of the focus, the length of the days... all the limits are reached. In such a case, we question the relevance and validity of imposing any sort of penalty. Moreover, the exorbitant fines are vastly disproportionate to the average income and budget in rallying.
We are also concerned with the public impression these excessive sums create in the minds of the fans, suggesting this is an industry where money doesn't matter.
This also raises a fundamental question: where does the money from these fines go? The lack of transparency only amplifies concerns and undermines confidence in the system.
Surely, the negative impressions surrounding these penalties far outweigh the impact of any language lapse.
We call for direct communication and engagement between the FIA President and WoRDA members to find a mutually agreeable and urgent solution.
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Sportingly,
The Rally Drivers and Co-drivers members of WoRDA
Signed by:
Sébastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanperä, Ott Tänak, Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Jonne Halttunen, Martin Järveoja, Vincent Landais, Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Grégoire Munster, Louis Louka, Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Martins Sesks, Francis Renars, Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Josh McErlean, John Treacy, Cándido Carrera, Gus Greensmith, Jonas Andersson, Yohan Rossel, Arnaud Dunand, Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Léo Rossel, Guillaume Mercoiret, Dani Sordo, Julien Ingrassia.
Human beings are the heart of all sport. Safety, Action, Respect, and Authenticity are the values we uphold.
Photo credit to WoRDA.
Why This Matters: A Call for Fairness and Transparency
The rally community is built on passion, authenticity, and a shared love for the sport. Drivers and co-drivers push themselves to the absolute limit, often in inhumane conditions, to deliver thrilling performances for fans worldwide. Yet, the recent crackdown on minor language lapses that are often made in the heat of the moment or due to language barriers has left many feeling unfairly targeted.
Even Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota’s Team Principal) agreed and said;
"As a team we stand behind our drivers and co-drivers to support their interests on this matter. We hope strongly for constructive dialogue between the FIA and WoRDA that can result in a positive solution and an ever-better championship."
Photo credit to TGR-WRC.
As WoRDA points out, rallying is an extreme sport. The physical and mental toll it takes on drivers is immense, and expecting perfect composure at all times is unrealistic. Moreover, the fines imposed for these infractions are disproportionately high, especially considering the financial realities of many drivers and teams.
One of the most pressing questions raised by WoRDA is: Where does the money from these fines go? The lack of transparency around this issue only fuels speculation and erodes trust in the system. As fans and supporters of the sport, we deserve to know how these funds are being used.
Bonus picture: crews and fans reaction and message to FIA:
Photo credit to rightful owners.
My Take: Rally Drivers Deserve Better. Rally to crews and fans!
I 100% agree with the drivers. They are drained from the intense preparation for rallies and the races themselves. Forbidding them to express themselves whether in frustration, excitement, or passion robs them of their authenticity and connection with fans. Rallying is as much about the human element as it is about speed and skill. Fans love the sport because of its raw, unfiltered nature. Penalizing drivers for being human undermines what makes rallying so special. They can’t speak freely, they can’t swear, they’re like FIA’s dolls, but you often hear commentators give backhanded comments and sometimes it’s even rude things but they’re never punished?
The question raised by WoRDA about where the fine money goes is spot on. Is it funding expensive dinners for FIA officials? Or is it being reinvested into the sport (no lol). Without transparency, we can only speculate, and that’s not good enough. The FIA needs to keep it transparent and accountable.
What’s Next?
WoRDA’s call for direct communication with the FIA President is a crucial step toward resolving this issue. Rally drivers and co-drivers are the heart of the sport, and their voices deserve to be heard!!! By working together, the FIA and WoRDA can find a solution that balances the need for professionalism with the realities of competing in such an extreme sport.
As fans, we can support the drivers by sharing their message and demanding fairness and transparency from the governing bodies. Rallying is a sport built on passion, and it’s time to protect that passion, not punish it. Let’s hope the FIA listens and takes meaningful action to address these concerns.
To the drivers and co-drivers of WoRDA: we stand with you. Keep pushing, keep racing, and keep being the authentic, passionate athletes we admire :)❤️.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. Thank you for upvoting, reblogging & commenting. It is greatly appreciated :)❤️!
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