GPDA calls for respect, urges FIA to treat F1 drivers as ‘adults'

In a strongly-worded open letter to the FIA, the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) has called on the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his team to adopt a more respectful and mature approach to its relationship with F1’s drivers.

The GPDA's letter, which was also posted to the association's new Instagram account, came in response to recent controversies surrounding penalties for swearing and longstanding frustrations with top-down communication and lack of financial transparency in the sport.

The group emphasized the need for the FIA to treat drivers as “adults” and to foster a more collaborative approach with drivers as essential stakeholders in the sport.

The GPDA’s message reflects growing frustration with what drivers see as unnecessary micro-management and condescending public rebukes.

The statement comes in the wake of recent incidents in which high-profile drivers, such as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, were penalized for using a four-letter word in press conferences.

Verstappen’s swearing during a Singapore press event led to an “effective community service” assignment, while Leclerc was fined €10,000 for a similar incident in Mexico.

• Read also: Leclerc fined for swearing during Mexico City GP press conference

The GPDA stressed that drivers are professionals at the top of their field, “the gladiators” who captivate audiences each racing weekend.

In light of this, they argued that casual swearing, particularly when criticizing a situation rather than an individual, is a natural response to the intense pressures of racing.

Drivers demand a respectful tone and sensible governance

“With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation,” the statement read.

In a pointed comment aimed at the FIA President, the GPDA suggested that Ben Sulayem should also consider his tone when discussing drivers in public settings.

“We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise,” the letter stated.

This remark underscores the drivers’ demand for respect and a more thoughtful approach from the governing body.

Frustrations over ‘trivial’ regulations and public warnings

Another key grievance is the FIA’s handling of personal regulations, such as the well-publicized rule surrounding the wearing of jewelry, which the GPDA criticized as overly trivial.

Public warnings on attire, including the infamous jewelry ban that appeared to be targeted at Lewis Hamilton, were perceived by drivers as both patronizing and unnecessary. The GPDA called for these types of concerns to be handled with discretion and without the need for public mandates, stressing that drivers “do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.”

This call for respect and discretion hints at a broader desire for drivers to be treated as autonomous professionals capable of managing their personal choices, without having to endure public admonishments on minor regulations.

Longstanding concerns over monetary fines and financial transparency

The GPDA also voiced frustration with the FIA’s reliance on monetary fines for driver infractions, stating that fines are an inappropriate punishment for a sport of Formula 1’s stature.

Over the past three years, the GPDA has repeatedly requested clarity on how funds raised through these fines are allocated and whether they are used in a way that benefits the sport.

“The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that Driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our Sport,” the letter stated, adding that financial penalties bring a “negative image” to Formula 1 and its reputation.

The drivers argue that the FIA should be more transparent and that decisions regarding fine allocations should involve input from all major stakeholders, including drivers, teams, and F1 management.

Such transparency, they believe, would allow everyone invested in the sport to determine the best use for these funds, ideally for initiatives that enhance the sport and support its fanbase.

A call for mutual respect and constructive collaboration

The letter closed with a call for greater collaboration between the drivers, the FIA, and other stakeholders. The GPDA made it clear that they are committed to promoting Formula 1 for the benefit of everyone who participates in and supports it, whether as drivers, fans, or officials.

“The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great Sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it,” they wrote.

The GPDA’s open letter to the FIA marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between Formula 1’s drivers and the sport’s governing body.

In an era where drivers have become vocal advocates not only for racing integrity but also for professional respect and accountability, the GPDA’s call to be treated as “adults” resonates with broader themes of autonomy and professionalism.

If the FIA answers this call, it could lead to a more harmonious and transparent era in Formula 1, one where drivers feel valued as essential stakeholders with a say in how the sport is managed and promoted.

For the fans and the sport itself, a collaborative approach would likely enhance the spectacle, inspire loyalty, and strengthen the reputation of Formula 1 as a league where both competition and respect are held in high regard.

Hereafter is the GPDA's full open-letter to the FIA: 

GPDA Statement regarding "Driver Misconduct"

"As is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the referee's decision, whether they like it or not, indeed whether they agree with it or not. That is how sport works. The Drivers (our members) are no different, and fully understand that.

"Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every racing weekend they put on a great show for the fans.

"With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation.

"We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.

"The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that Driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our Sport. For the past 3 years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA's financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent.

"We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the Sport. We once again request that the FIA President provide financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the Teams and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our Sport.

"The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great Sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it. We are playing our part.

"Best regards,

"The Directors and Chairman of the GPDA on behalf of the Grand Prix Drivers

"#RacingUnited for our Safety, our Sport, our Fans."

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