Formula 1 drivers Max Verstappen and Alex Albon have raised concerns amid the governing body's clampdown on political messaging.
Late last year, motorsport's governing body – the FIA – updated its International Sporting Code, which governs all FIA-sanctioned categories, to restrict unapproved statements.
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The new clause prevents "the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its Statutes, unless previously approved in writing by the FIA."
Stan Sport is the only place to watch the 2023 IndyCar Series. All the action streaming ad-free, live and on demand
Formula 1 champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have been particularly vocal, often wearing clothing and helmets that feature political messaging.
The pair have been prominent in voicing discontent surrounding racism, diversity, and climate change.
However, the clampdown has drawn the ire of several drivers according to Albon.
The Williams driver said the new rule is particularly confusing given the sport's own gender diversity campaign, We Race As One.
"We are all concerned," said Albon.
"We know politics and stances are sensitive areas but we need clarity from the FIA on what they are trying to tell us.
"On a personal side, it is confusing. We are very much for the We Race As One (initiative), and it seems as though the FIA are moving away from that.
"It is clear that we need an open dialogue on what they (the FIA) are trying to do but we need to be able to speak freely to some extent.
"A lot of people look to us as spokespeople for issues around the world, and I do feel it is a responsibility for drivers to make people aware of these kind of situations."
Verstappen, who won his second Formula 1 title in 2022, was left similarly bemused by the decision.
The Red Bull racer said the rule infringes on freedom of speech.
"Everyone is different, some people are more outspoken than others," Verstappen told Sky Sports F1.
"I'm normally not that outspoken, because first of all it's tough as a racing driver to be fully committed to that as well in terms of going into everything and making sure that you know all the facts, right?
"But I don't think it is necessary because you are, in a way, marking sure basically making sure that people are not allowed to speak anymore.
"I think we should be allowed and like I said before, some people will speak a bit more, some not, but it was probably a bit unnecessary."
Hamilton's former teammate Valtteri Bottas, who now drives for Alfa Romeo, echoed Verstappen's sentiment.
He said it's not surprising that the sport wants to control its own image though.
"I think everyone should be allowed to say what they want and support things that they want or have passion for," he explained, speaking with Sky Sports F1.
"People in this world should be free to say what they want. In a way, I don't see the need for that kind of thing to be in the rule book.
"But, if you think politically, let's say from F1's side or the organisers side of a race, obviously they want everything to go smooth and not having someone with a t-shirt saying this and this.
"I think everything we're speaking about is making things good, the world a better place, stuff like that. That's my view, I don't think it's necessary, but it's Formula 1."
The 2023 Formula 1 season gets underway on March 6 with the Bahrain Grand Prix.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Formula 1 drivers Max Verstappen and Alex Albon have raised concerns amid the governing body's clampdown on political messaging.
Late last year, motorsport's governing body – the FIA – updated its International Sporting Code, which governs all FIA-sanctioned categories, to restrict unapproved statements.
READ MORE: Changing of the guard as Aussie skipper retires
READ MORE: Club icon ends 17-year stand-off with Rabbitohs
READ MORE: Former Premier League star missing in disaster
The new clause prevents "the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its Statutes, unless previously approved in writing by the FIA."
Stan Sport is the only place to watch the 2023 IndyCar Series. All the action streaming ad-free, live and on demand
Formula 1 champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have been particularly vocal, often wearing clothing and helmets that feature political messaging.
The pair have been prominent in voicing discontent surrounding racism, diversity, and climate change.
However, the clampdown has drawn the ire of several drivers according to Albon.
The Williams driver said the new rule is particularly confusing given the sport's own gender diversity campaign, We Race As One.
"We are all concerned," said Albon.
"We know politics and stances are sensitive areas but we need clarity from the FIA on what they are trying to tell us.
"On a personal side, it is confusing. We are very much for the We Race As One (initiative), and it seems as though the FIA are moving away from that.
"It is clear that we need an open dialogue on what they (the FIA) are trying to do but we need to be able to speak freely to some extent.
"A lot of people look to us as spokespeople for issues around the world, and I do feel it is a responsibility for drivers to make people aware of these kind of situations."
Verstappen, who won his second Formula 1 title in 2022, was left similarly bemused by the decision.
The Red Bull racer said the rule infringes on freedom of speech.
"Everyone is different, some people are more outspoken than others," Verstappen told Sky Sports F1.
"I'm normally not that outspoken, because first of all it's tough as a racing driver to be fully committed to that as well in terms of going into everything and making sure that you know all the facts, right?
"But I don't think it is necessary because you are, in a way, marking sure basically making sure that people are not allowed to speak anymore.
"I think we should be allowed and like I said before, some people will speak a bit more, some not, but it was probably a bit unnecessary."
Hamilton's former teammate Valtteri Bottas, who now drives for Alfa Romeo, echoed Verstappen's sentiment.
He said it's not surprising that the sport wants to control its own image though.
"I think everyone should be allowed to say what they want and support things that they want or have passion for," he explained, speaking with Sky Sports F1.
"People in this world should be free to say what they want. In a way, I don't see the need for that kind of thing to be in the rule book.
"But, if you think politically, let's say from F1's side or the organisers side of a race, obviously they want everything to go smooth and not having someone with a t-shirt saying this and this.
"I think everything we're speaking about is making things good, the world a better place, stuff like that. That's my view, I don't think it's necessary, but it's Formula 1."
The 2023 Formula 1 season gets underway on March 6 with the Bahrain Grand Prix.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
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