The FIA has promised to still allow Formula 1 drivers to freely "express their views" during media interviews on race weekends – but has doubled down on its desire to promote "neutrality" at official events.
The governing body came under heavy fire for its move to ban F1 drivers from "political, religious or personal statements". Human rights group the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy was one of several bodies to suggest that the rule change infringes upon the drivers' rights to protest.
Launch season gave reporters the chance to ask drivers for their own feelings about the protest ban. Unanimously, they had at least some reservations about the change and some called for more clarity.
