The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association have launched a scathing public letter to the FIA, complaining about the treatment of the sport’s stars after a series of controversies involving the sport’s governing body.
The FIA have made enemies of numerous drivers – most notably Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen – with the governing body’s president Mohammed Ben Sulayem coming in for significant criticism.
In Singapore, a community service punishment handed to Max Verstappen for swearing in a press conference sparked uproar, leading the Dutchman to launch a protest that he maintained throughout the weekend.
Now, the drivers have mobilised and the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – led by George Russell – have released a bold statement, demanding better treatment from the FIA.
Within the sport, references were made to Verstappen’s swearing punishment, and the clampdown on Hamilton’s jewellery back in 2023, as well as Sebastian Vettel’s iconic underwear stunt in 2022.
“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 One car” the statement read.
“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 out sport. For the past three 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 the FIA president provides financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the teams and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and whether the money is spent for the benefit of the sport.”
The drivers rounded out the letter by reiterating their desire for collaboration “in a constructive way” with the FIA and Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
