Lewis Hamilton spearheads drive for GPDA to gain power in F1
Seven-time world champion calls for F1 drivers to be handed position of authority after potential FIA u-turn over swearing fines.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton wants the F1 Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) to be given a seat of power to help run the sport.
While in Miami, Hamilton has led calls for the formation of a union to establish a position of authority which means drivers can have some input on shaping the sport's rules and plans for the future. It comes after a standoff between drivers and the sport’s governing body, the FIA, over draconian rules over swearing.
The FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has taken a hard line in punishing drivers for their foul language in press conferences.
However, he has admitted to considering a u-turn on his decision to fine them for such outbursts, writing on his Instagram account that after”constructive feedback” from drivers across the world, he was open to making “improvements”.
When asked ahead of the Miami GP about the GPDA’s relationship with the FIA, Hamilton said: “Ultimately, the GPDA is very unified. We are working to ultimately be able to work closely with the FIA.
“All of us want to make the sport work together and make the sport better. Of course we've faced a bit of an uphill challenge in that communication over time.
“Ultimately, we don't hold a power seat at the table, and that needs to change in my opinion. If you look at other sports that have unions, that may be something that comes into play at some stage. We don't we don't want to control things. We just want to collaborate with them and have our voices heard.
“People are making decisions for others that have never been in that position so it is good to have a the point of view from the drivers’ perspective.”
Last season, Max Verstappen was hit with a punishment for swearing in a live press conference during the Singapore Grand Prix.
The world champion was issued with a “work of public interest” penalty as a result of using the f-word during a televised broadcast.
Ben Sulayem had also overseen an increase in potential fines from €10,000 to €120,000, along with threats of suspensions and point deductions.
Hyundai World Rally Championship driver Adrien Fourmaux was the first driver to be punished for breaching the new rules when he used an expletive during a televised stage-end interview at Rally Sweden in February.
Fourmaux was slapped with a €10,000 fine with an additional €20,000 suspended.
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