Bottas, who competes for Alfa Romeo, said he believed the changes to the international sporting code were unfair, and accused the FIA of trying to control its drivers.

"I think everybody should be allowed to say what they want and do more things that they want or have passion for," said Bottas, as reported by Sky Sports News.

"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 rules but if you take it politically, let's say from F1's side or the organisers' side of a race, they want everything to go smoothly.

"But normally when we've been speaking it's to try and make the world a better place.

"That's my view. I don't think it's necessary... but that's Formula 1."

Under the updated rules, drivers will be in breach of the code if they display "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 for international competitions, or by the relevant ASN for national competitions within their jurisdiction."

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently caused controversy with comments when he tweeted that a reported bid of $20 billion (£16.3 billion/€18.3 billion) by Saudi Arabia to buy the sport’s commercial rights was "inflated."

Formula One owners Liberty Media sent a letter to the FIA in response, describing Ben Sulayem’s comments as "interference."

The 2023 Formula One season is set to feature 23 races, with action scheduled to begin in Bahrain on March 3.