The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) has spoken out against the management of Formula One in an open letter entitled “Driver Position Statement”. The letter blasts the current rule making process in the sport, saying that it “compromises further global growth”, as the GPDA call for a “clear master plan” that reflects the “principles and core values of Formula 1”.
The open letter was constructed by the chairman directors of the association: Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel and Alex Wurz. A copy of the letter was made openly available via the association’s Twitter page (see bottom of article). The GPDA was established in 1994, following the fatal accidents of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, and it has been the voice of the Formula One drivers.
The letter opens with the drivers stating that they “love F1 almost unconditionally” and that they are “the people with the purest interest for Formula 1”, other than the fans of the sport. The letter then goes on to describe the current challenges that Formula One is faced with at the moment, such as a rapid change in fan behavior and the media. For these reasons, the GPDA feels that the current rule makers of the sport must make “smart and well considered adjustments” on the sporting, technical and business side of Formula One.
Although everyone involved in Formula One has the best intentions, the GPDA still believes that some of the rule changes that have been introduced into the sport recently “do not address the bigger issues our sport is facing and in some cases could jeopardise its future success”. To fix the issue, the GPDA requests that all future decisions regarding Formula One should be structured around a “clear master plan” that reflects the “principles and core values of Formula 1”.
The association also goes on to question the current personnel and companies within Formula One, saying that “F1 should be home only to the best teams, drivers and circuits, with partners and suppliers fit for such an elite championship”. Although the letter may have been harsh at certain points, the GPDA insists that it “should not be seen as blind and disrespectful attack”.
This letter comes just days after the Australian Grand Prix, which saw a vast number of rules changes like the modified qualifying system and the new radio bans imposed by the FIA. This letter also comes on the same day that Sky secures a five-year contract to exclusive broadcasting rights of the sport in the United Kingdom.
It’s unclear whether there is any pending action from the members of the GPDA in an attempt to change the governance of the sport, although some fans feel that it is necessary. When all is said and done, these thoughts of the members within the GPDA will just be words on a page unless they plan to do something about it. The sport has frequently been criticized for its failure to consider the feedback from fans and even those within the sport. That’s not going to change, unless someone is willing to step up.
The Grand Prix Drivers would like to make the following statement. #RacingUnited pic.twitter.com/EkdmIz2U2j
— Grand Prix Drivers (@GPDA_) March 23, 2016
Sky Acquires A New F1 Broadcasting Agreement
F1 To Drop New Qualifying System Before Bahrain
Drivers Cannot Throw Tear-Offs
FIA Increases Radio Ban
New Qualifying Not Ready Until The Spanish GP
Driver Head Protection Creates More Danger Than Safety
Mumm Leaves Formula One
