Grosjean: GPDA doing its part to help F1 return to racing

40

GPDA director Romain Grosjean says drivers are being kept informed of Formula 1's plans to start its 2020 season and are helping the sport kick into gear sooner rather than later.

Formula 1's hiatus has forced drivers to the sidelines where everyone patiently waits for the action to get underway.

Training, sim racing or family activities constitute the driver's main diversions while in lockdown, but all members of the Grand Prix Drivers Association are being kept in the loop regarding F1's plans and decisions.

F1 steps up talks with Hockenheim after Silverstone doubts

"We have got a WhatsApp group and it has been very active, I must say," said Grosjean, speaking on Sky F1's latest Vodcast. "A lot of discussions on different subjects.

"We had a call with Formula 1, Chase Carey and Ross [Brawn]. I just couldn't make the call, but I know Alex [Wurz, GPDA chairman] and Sebastian [Vettel] were on it, and then I got the feedback.

"We are trying to be as much as we can involved, trying to help the best we can because to help the teams we need to go racing earlier than later.

"Obviously not doing anything costs money for nothing and if we can go racing then we know what's happening."

Formula 1 is in the process of setting up the stringent procedures and measures that will govern life in the paddock for teams and personnel once the racing begins.

With the first race of the season scheduled at the Red bull Ring on July 5, Grosjean is hoping the situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic will have improved in the next 45 days.

"Everyone is doing his best," added the Haas driver. "Obviously, it's very difficult to know what the situation is going to be like.

"Taking a lot of measures and trying to make sure that everything is great. But maybe in July the world will be in a much better place and actually we can ease things up a little bit.

"As I said, the earlier we can go racing the better."

Formula 1's summer race weekends will be conducted behind closed gates, a change that will inevitably impact each event's atmosphere.

"It's going to be normal and abnormal at the same time," he said.

"We're going to go back to racing and driving cars, but also we'll have a limited amount of people around and no spectators. So, some things will be very different and some things will be the same.

"But it's going to be good. But everyone is looking forward to going back racing."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.