The Grand Prix Driver’s Association (GPDA) is united with 100% GPDA membership among F1 drivers for the first time in recent history due to concerns over on-track action and the direction in which the sport is heading.
100% GPDA Membership for First Time in Recent History
100% Membership
Among those who had not previously joined the F1 driver’s union were Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen, two big names in modern F1 racing. Now though, all 20 drivers on the grid are part of the influential group.
GPDA Chairman, Alex Wurz commented: “We can’t be naive about the situation F1 is in, with its complicated governing rules and agreements between various key stakeholders.
“Business decisions and political power fights have damaged the sport enough at exactly such vulnerable times over the last decade.
“But the GPDA has repeatedly said that the on-track action needs to be better, more closely fought and authentic.”
New Direction with New Owners Liberty Media
Austrian Alex Wurz is a well-respected member of the F1 drivers’ community. Wurz has driven for teams like Benetton, McLaren and Williams during his F1 career. Wurz went on to outline F1’s current state as being one of evolution but also one of disruption, as many teams reach the end of their contractual obligations to the sport in 2020.
The rule changes of 2017 (the first with Liberty Media, the new owners at the helm) were well-received by both drivers and fans. This provides some level of optimism for the coming years as Liberty begin to show their long-term plans for the sport.
Wurz continued: “We are glad that Liberty and their technical research team followed the GPDA’s suggestion from more than a year ago, where we wished for a less sensitive airflow concept of aerodynamic-related rules in order to be able to race closer. That’s just one example and one of many the drivers have in mind.
“We don’t need a seat at the table, because the drivers are in the driving seat anyhow. Besides, I would be surprised if any of the key stakeholders would invite the drivers to the F1 decision-making table.
“The GPDA demands only that the sport remains the centre of attention and we want to hold everyone in the decision-making process accountable for their actions and decisions.”
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