A Formula 1 driver has been confirmed as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) ahead of the 2025 season.
The GPDA was first founded back in 1961 and it is an organisation that represents F1 drivers' interests.
Over the years, the organisation has been used to focus on safety issues in the sport but inputs into making F1 better for fans, teams and drivers have also been made in recent times.
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Prior to Sunday's announcement, the GPDA had ex-F1 driver Alex Wurz as the chairman, with Anastasia Fowle and current Mercedes star George Russell serving as directors.
Last season, the GDPA released a strong statement directed at the sport's governing body, the FIA, after Max Verstappen was handed community service for describing his Red Bull car as 'f**ked'.
Russell also reignited his feud with the FIA by asking the body to bring in full-time employed, professional race stewards
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The Brit believes that doing so would improve consistency regarding the big decisions and help drivers interpret the official race guidelines.
However, his request was quickly shut down by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
New GPDA director announced ahead of 2025 Formula 1 season
Ahead of the new season, which will begin in March, the GDPA announced on Sunday that Spaniard Carlos Sainz is now a director, filling the role which has been vacant since Sebastian Vettel retired.
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A statement read: "The GPDA welcomes Carlos Sainz as Director. Stepping into the role vacated by Sebastian Vettel, Sainz becomes a Director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association alongside George Russell, Anastasia Fowle, and Chairman, Alex Wurz. #RacingUnited for our Safety, our Sport, our Fans."
Sainz, who moved from Ferrari to Williams ahead of 2025, said: "I am passionate about my sport and think we drivers have a responsibility to do all we can to work with the stakeholders to forward the sport in many aspects. So I'm very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the
Director's role in the GPDA."
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Chairman Wurz added: "We are delighted to welcome Carlos as GPDA Director. He has been an active and engaged member of the GPDA for several years and we sincerely appreciate his commitment in stepping up to this vital role."
The 2025 F1 season will begin with the Australian Grand Prix, which will be held around Albert Park in Melbourne on March 16.
Topics: Formula 1, FIA, George Russell
Marcus Chan