Russell admits surprise at ‘political’ nature of GPDA role

Mercedes driver George Russell has revealed his surprise at the highly political nature of his role as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.

Russell, who became a director of the GPD in 2021, replacing Romain Grosjean, had initially envisioned his directorship as being focused on sporting and safety matters.

But over time, he has found himself entangled in the politics of the sport through the GPDA’s dealings with the FIA and its controversial president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“When I signed up in my role as GPDA [director], I never expected to have so much on my hands and for it to be so political,” Russell told the media earlier this month in Abu Dhabi.

“I don't really understand any of this side of the sport. And it was more from a sporting perspective and safety perspective that I wanted to get my hands dirty with.

“Whereas, now, it seems all we're talking about is the politics of the sport.”

A Role Shaped by Political Challenges

Russell’s tenure as a director of the GPDA has seen him navigate significant challenges, including the near drivers’ strike at the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following a missile attack near the circuit and ongoing tensions with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

One flashpoint arose in November when the GPDA sent an open letter to the FIA, urging the governing body to treat drivers as “adults.”

The letter came in response to Ben Sulayem’s controversial efforts to crack down on driver swearing, which is part of a broader initiative to curb rhetoric that could inadvertently incite abuse of officials.

Russell expressed frustration at the lack of engagement from the FIA, saying, “It seems all we're talking about is the politics of the sport.”

The situation escalated when Ben Sulayem dismissed the drivers’ concerns publicly, stating in a media interview that how he runs motorsport is “none of their business.”

Drivers united for transparency

The issue came to a head with the FIA General Assembly this month, which approved a controversial move to place matters of compliance directly under Ben Sulayem and the president of the FIA senate.

Russell was asked about the development but refrained from making definitive judgments.

“I don't want to comment too much on it [the FIA’s compliance system changes] because I'm not educated enough to make those assumptions,” he said, quoted by motorsport.com.

“But I think what it’s raised [is that] all the drivers are united, that solely we want the best for the sport. We want transparency. And we want to help the FIA and as simple as that.”

As the only active F1 driver serving as a GPDA director following Sebastian Vettel’s retirement in 2022, Russell’s leadership alongside chairman Alexander Wurz and legal representative Anastasia Fowle has been vital during a tumultuous period for the organization.

• Read also: Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

However, the unexpected political demands of the position have been an eye-opener for the 25-year-old Briton.

Russell’s comments highlight the complex and often contentious relationship between Formula 1 drivers and its governing body, as the GPDA continues to advocate for safety, transparency, and collaboration in the sport.

Despite the challenges, Russell’s commitment to representing the drivers’ interests remains steadfast, though he admitted the role has been far from what he initially anticipated.

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