FORMULA One bosses have been accused of trying to gag drivers with a rule to stop them from airing political or personal views.<br /><br />World champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are among competitors who have used their platforms at races to highlight issues.<br /><br />But the governing body the FIA amended its rules this season to forbid any display of “political, religious, and personal statements” that are made “without prior approval”.<br /><br />Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas says the crackdown is wrong.<br /><br />He said: "Personally, I don't like politics. I like to do what I love, which is racing, but politics is at the same time part of today's society.<br /><br />"I think Formula 1 has done a good job of paying attention to some of these kinds of issues and many drivers have raised their voices, including Sebastian."<br /><br />"I do not understand why they want to control us. I think we should have the right to talk about what we want. That is how I see it, but we will see what happens."<br /><br />A human rights group has called the new rule “seriously disturbing”.<br /><br />The FIA says the move is in line with the International Olympic Committee’s Code of Ethics.
