Formula 1 drivers have criticized the president of the sport’s governing body, the FIA, and asked to be treated like adults in an escalating row over swearing in news conferences.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the grid’s stars had a responsibility to stop swearing on the radio and that they should not act like rappers.

Formula One’s drivers have launched a scathing attack on FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and demanded to be treated like adults after a host of recent disputes.The former rally driver has been told in an open letter to consider his own “language” after he had said the grid’s stars should stop swearing on the radio and acting like “rappers”.