World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers have joined forces and released a statement demanding an 'urgent solution' to the 's swearing saga.

The action comes after Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux was hit with an £8,300 (€10,000) fine with an additional £16,600 (€20,000) suspended for one year after swearing during a post-race interview at the second WRC event of the season. "We f***ed up yesterday," he told RallyTV.

Fourmaux became the first driver to fall victim to a highly controversial rule introduced by the FIA over the winter break. Under the new legislation, drivers in premier racing series can receive punishments that scale to £101,400 (€120,000) fines, championship point deductions and even a one-month suspension for repeated swearing.

The French driver's punishment sparked outrage in the WRC paddock, and the series' drivers have now teamed up to issue a statement on the matter.

"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," the statement read.

"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."

The statement went on to illustrate three main concerns on behalf of the drivers. It continued: "We strongly believe that: Common colloquialism cannot be considered and judged as equal to genuine insult or an act of aggression.

"Non-native 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.

The drivers added: "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 fans, suggesting that 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."

The statement from the WRC drivers follows a frosty reception from F1 stars on the matter last week. George Russell, Alex Albon and Max Verstappen were among the leading figures to contest the necessity of the new regulation ahead of the F1 75 Live event in London.