Guenther Steiner, star of Drive to Survive, slams Formula 1’s ‘ludicrous’ swearing ban, arguing it’s ‘too much’ and risks sanitizing the sport’s raw emotion.
In the adrenaline-fueled circus of Formula 1, where split-second decisions and raw emotions define the game, a new rule is stirring the pot—and Guenther Steiner, the foul-mouthed fan favorite from Netflix’s Drive to Survive, is not here for it.
The FIA, the sport’s governing body, has rolled out a ban on profanity across its official events, and Steiner, never one to mince words, has branded the move “ludicrous” and “too much.” As Formula 1 navigates this unexpected curb on its colorful language, the debate is heating up: is this a smart play for a global audience, or a misguided attempt to polish a sport that thrives on its edge?
Steiner, the former Haas team principal who became a household name thanks to Drive to Survive, has built a reputation as the paddock’s straight shooter. His expletive-laden rants and no-nonsense demeanor turned him into a breakout star across the docuseries’ six seasons, endearing him to fans who crave authenticity in a sport often cloaked in high-stakes glamour.
So when the FIA announced its crackdown on swearing—covering everything from team radio chatter to press conference soundbites—it’s no surprise Steiner had something to say. “It’s ludicrous,” he told Deadline in an exclusive chat. “We’re grown-ups, not kids. This is too much.”
The new rule, quietly introduced as part of the FIA’s updated conduct guidelines, targets drivers, team principals, and anyone else under the F1 spotlight. Use a naughty word during an official event, and you could be slapped with a fine—potentially in the five-figure range, depending on the offense.
The goal? To keep Formula 1’s image squeaky clean as its popularity surges, fueled in no small part by Drive to Survive’s glossy, drama-packed portrayal of the sport. With viewership soaring and new fans tuning in from every corner of the globe, the FIA seems eager to ensure that the F1 brand stays palatable to all.
But Steiner isn’t buying it. “Motorsport is emotional,” he said, doubling down on his critique. “You’re in the car, something goes wrong, you’re going to say something. It’s not like we’re swearing at each other all day—it’s just the heat of the moment.” For Steiner, the ban feels like an overreach, a rule that risks stripping away the humanity that makes F1 more than just a race. “The fans love it,” he added. “They see the real stuff on Drive to Survive. Why take that away?”
The timing of the ban couldn’t be more intriguing. Formula 1’s global ascent owes much to Netflix, which has turned pit lane squabbles and mid-race meltdowns into must-watch TV. Steiner’s own star turn—think fiery exchanges with drivers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher, often punctuated by a well-placed f-bomb—helped cement the show’s appeal.
Now, with Season 7 in production and the sport riding a wave of unprecedented attention, the FIA’s move raises eyebrows. Will producers have to bleep out half the dialogue? Or will the ban force drivers and team bosses to button up, leaving viewers with a sanitized version of the chaos they’ve come to love?
Steiner, for one, isn’t optimistic about enforcement sticking the landing. “Good luck policing it,” he quipped, a smirk practically audible in his tone. “These guys are competitive. You think they’re going to stop and think, ‘Oh, I better not swear’ when they’re mad? It’s not realistic.”
The FIA, however, isn’t backing down. In a statement, the organization framed the ban as a natural evolution for a sport with growing reach. “Formula 1 is a professional championship with a worldwide audience, including younger viewers,” a spokesperson said. “We expect participants to uphold a standard of behavior that reflects that.”
It’s a sentiment that echoes broader trends in sports, where image management often takes precedence as stakes—and sponsorships—rise. But in a world where drivers are mic’d up mid-race, venting frustrations at 200 miles per hour, the line between passion and propriety feels blurrier than ever.
Steiner’s not alone in his skepticism, though he’s the loudest voice so far. Whispers from the paddock suggest other team principals and drivers are equally baffled, if less willing to go on the record. One can only imagine the private group chats lighting up after a DNF or a botched pit stop—language the FIA would surely frown upon.
And then there’s the fan angle: social media is already buzzing with reactions, many echoing Steiner’s take that the ban misses the point of what makes F1 electric. “Guenther swearing is half the reason I watch,” one X user posted. “Let them be human!”
As the 2025 season revs up, all eyes will be on how—or if—the FIA enforces its new edict. Will we see a flurry of fines in the early races, or will the rule quietly fade into the background like so many well-intentioned but impractical ideas before it? For Steiner, the answer seems obvious. “It’s going to be a mess,” he predicted. “And I’m glad I’m not the one dealing with it anymore.”
Love him or hate him, Steiner’s unfiltered take is a reminder of what’s at stake here: the soul of a sport that’s as much about people as it is about machines. Formula 1 has always been a high-wire act—speed, danger, and emotion in equal measure. The FIA may want to tidy up the script, but if Guenther Steiner has anything to say about it, the paddock’s not going quiet without a fight. So, buckle up, F1 fans: the next chapter of this saga might just be the most colorful yet—swear words or not.
