George Russell has openly expressed his frustration towards the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) for their lack of response to the concerns raised by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA). The Mercedes driver stated that many of his peers feel “fed up with the whole situation.”
GPDA’s Call for Respect and Transparency
Following the Brazilian Grand Prix, the GPDA issued a statement directed at the FIA’s president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The association urged the FIA to engage its members “like adults” and called on Ben Sulayem to reconsider his “tone and language” when addressing drivers.
Moreover, the GPDA questioned the FIA’s use of monetary fines and demanded clarity on where these funds are being allocated. This followed incidents involving Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, who faced repercussions for inappropriate language during press conferences.
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc Controversies
Max Verstappen was given a community service penalty due to swearing at the Singapore GP’s Thursday press conference. Similarly, Charles Leclerc received a €10,000 fine for a similar incident after the Mexican GP, although half of this amount was suspended for 12 months. These events led to the GPDA’s heightened demand for transparency and better communication from the FIA.
Lack of Communication on Steward Changes
Russell also pointed out that Formula 1 drivers were not informed about the sudden departure of race steward Niels Wittich. The German official was replaced by Rui Marques for the season’s final three races, with no explanation provided to the drivers.
Speaking ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Russell remarked, “I’m not too sure if we feel we are being listened to and if the changes we are requesting are being implemented. There are several drivers who feel frustrated with the situation, as it seems to be moving in the wrong direction.”
FIA’s Promises and Drivers’ Expectations
As a director of the GPDA, Russell highlighted that the letter sent to Ben Sulayem demonstrated the depth of the drivers’ concerns. He underscored their desire for a cooperative relationship with the FIA to address various issues.
“We’ve had numerous discussions over the past two years about various topics. All drivers generally feel the same and know what we want from the sport. We desire a small U-turn on several issues and a collaborative effort with the FIA,” he added.
Additionally, Russell criticized the FIA for failing to address where the fines collected were being used, contradicting promises made during Ben Sulayem’s 2021 election campaign.
“When we were hearing from the FIA a couple of years ago during the presidential elections, they were emphasizing transparency. They spoke about reinvesting in grassroots racing, which we all support. We just want transparency and an understanding of the promises made at the start,” Russell commented.
As Formula 1 approaches the next race in Las Vegas, the drivers and fans alike await the FIA’s response to the GPDA’s pressing concerns. The lack of communication from the FIA has added tension, and addressing these issues could shape the future direction of the sport.
